One social media watcher says the problem is content, and chaotic content leads to profits. 'And when we try to work with social media companies to remove content that could be directly harming a child, it's very difficult,” said Magee.

She said the lawsuit, filed by Cotchett, Pitre, and McCarthy of Burlingame says the addiction comes from algorithms that can be damaging to students, and has led to suicidal behavior, and depression. “Every day, schools are dealing with the fallout, which includes distracted students, increased absences, more children diagnosed with ADHD, cyber-bullying that carries into the classroom, and even physical damage to our San Mateo schools, an example is the vandalism caused by the TikTok so-called ‘Devious Lick Challenge’ at the start of the school year.'No one gets off the hook for the health and well-being of our young people,” said Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee. “As outlined in the complaint, there is hard science behind the claim that social media is fueling a mental health epidemic in school-age children,” San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy McGee said in a statement.

The “Devious Lick” challenge, for example, led to frequent vandalism at schools, especially in bathrooms. The suit claims the three social media companies have also caused “concrete and tangible harm” to schools in San Mateo County, mentioning social-media challenges that encourage students to participate in destructive or harmful behavior.

This trend, the complaint contends, corresponds with the release and growing popularity of Snap, TikTok and YouTube during the same period. Citing a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lawsuit notes suicidal behavior and depression among youths rose dramatically between 20.

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