Mounting scientific studies, whistleblowing cases, personal stories, and investigative articles warn that popular technology companies and social media platforms endanger America’s children. Platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are powered by sophisticated engineering, complex algorithms, and advanced neuroscience that keep users online as long and as often as possible. These platforms not only exploit young people’s data but can also exploit their desires and curiosity, hooking them on addictive products, exposing them to harmful content, and using their personal information for profit.  

Today, states, schools, municipalities, Native nations, and families nationwide are taking action. Hundreds of school districts, 47 states, and Washington, DC, have filed lawsuits against the four leading social media companies: Meta (Facebook and Instagram), ByteDance (TikTok), Snap (Snapchat), and Alphabet (Google and YouTube). These cases argue that these companies knowingly harmed young people, leading to increased mental health issues, addictions, health care costs, strains on social services, and even suicide. These lawsuits—consolidated into large multidistrict litigation proceedings—could result in large cash settlements similar to tobacco, opioid, and e-cigarette cases.  

For young people, an antidote for addictive, manipulative technologies like social media is an abundance of people and places that protect them, prevent harm, and promote well-being. Positive youth development programs—such as after-school, summer, and mentoring programs; library enrichment opportunities; outdoor education; and experiences in the arts serve that purpose and provide an alternative to social media and screen time. Any potential large-dollar settlement sums should be invested in historically underfunded positive youth development programs, giving young people in America safe ways to play, explore, connect, and grow.

Our young people are growing up in a technology-saturated world and most depend on digital devices to communicate, complete schoolwork, find information, create, earn money, entertain themselves, and explore interests. Technology platforms are easy to access and available 24/7. They’re highly engaging, offering a customized and steady stream of content. But Big Tech companies take advantage of young people’s developmentally appropriate motivations for using technology and exploit those uses for corporate gain, offering synthetic substitutes for the authentic experiences kids crave. 

Meanwhile, inadequate public funding for positive youth development experiences like camps and clubs means millions of young people don’t have the safe and healthy outlets they need for connection and recreation. Settlement funding could fix that, and pay for young people to have positive, in-person alternatives to social media and other harmful technology. 

We at Children’s Funding Project and Afterschool Alliance are tracking lawsuits against these companies and platforms and exploring ways to direct potential future funds to pay for the positive youth development experiences kids need and deserve. Right now, we are closely tracking Multidistrict Litigation 3047 and Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding 5255, which alone could result in millions, even billions, of dollars directed to address harms caused by social media platforms.