Sonoma County Sues Social Media Giants Over Youth Harm

Sonoma County has initiated a federal lawsuit against several major social media companies, including Meta Platforms, Inc., TikTok, and Discord, claiming their practices are detrimental to local youth. The lawsuit, filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, alleges that these companies engage in unfair business practices that harm minors through negligence and public nuisance.

The complaint highlights a series of distressing incidents linked to social media interactions. For instance, it cites a 9-year-old girl who suffered suicidal thoughts after being bullied on a YouTube platform. Another youth reported receiving a troubling comment on Snapchat, where an adult male expressed intentions to commit sexual assault. The lawsuit also mentions a case in which a 16-year-old girl reacted violently after her mother threatened to take away her cellphone and social media access.

Background and Broader Context

Sonoma County’s action is part of a broader trend, as it joins other jurisdictions like San Diego County and the San Mateo County Board of Education in similar legal battles against social media platforms. In October 2023, the California Attorney General’s Office aligned with 32 states in a lawsuit against Meta and its affiliates. The county’s legal team, led by attorney Aelish Baig from Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, asserts that social media companies are contributing to the escalating mental health crisis among the youth.

The lawsuit references multiple incidents of threats made against schools in Sonoma County, including West County, Laguna, Petaluma, and Casa Grande high schools, as well as Altimira Middle School. A TikTok trend known as “devious licks” has reportedly led to vandalism in county schools, further straining local resources.

In response to these challenges, county agencies have diverted funds toward youth mental health services, which encompass therapy, crisis intervention, and medication support. Baig stated that a range of experts will testify about the link between social media and the mental health issues faced by local youth.

Claims Against Social Media Companies

The lawsuit contends that social media companies, through their design and operations, lure young users and foster addictive behaviors. For example, Meta recently introduced an AI chatbot with 28 different personae, raising concerns about its impact on youth. Baig emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that Sonoma County’s estimated 94,000 minors have experienced unique harm due to social media influences.

A January 2024 Youth Truth survey of nearly 15,000 high school students in the county revealed alarming statistics: 31 percent reported feeling sad or hopeless almost daily for two weeks or more, and 10 percent had serious suicidal thoughts. The lawsuit particularly targets platforms like Discord and Roblox, which are popular among younger audiences. The complaint alleges that Roblox, while marketed as safe for children, fails to adequately verify users’ ages, contributing to incidents of child grooming and abuse.

Discord, which has over 196 million active monthly users, is accused of similarly neglecting age verification and allowing adult users to interact with minors. In response to these allegations, a Discord spokesperson defended the platform, asserting that it prioritizes user safety and employs both automated and human moderation to enforce its policies.

The legal battle is set against a backdrop of rising scrutiny of social media companies and their responsibilities toward young users. The outcome of this case may influence future regulations and accountability measures in the tech industry. Sonoma County’s lawsuit, filed on July 9, 2023, seeks not only to address the harm caused but also to obtain financial reimbursement for the costs incurred in addressing these issues.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the county’s case will be overseen by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who is expected to begin hearing related jury trials in 2026. The county’s partnership with Robbins Geller aims to navigate the complexities of litigation against well-resourced adversaries, with an eye toward accountability and reform in the social media sector.