Scammers blackmailed the teen into giving explicit photos on Facebook, which they then used to blackmail him for $3,500, according to a recent lawsuit that blames social media for leading to his suicide.
As families throughout U.S. pursue social media addiction lawsuit, the Surgeon General has recommended age-restrictions for teen social media use, due to concerns over mental health damage.
Lawsuit alleges Facebook and Instagram misled the public about the risks of social media addiction on children, while illegally collecting personal data without parents' knowledge or consent.
Murthy urged lawmakers to consider forcing social media platforms to put in place age restrictions which limit access for younger users due to mental health risks.
The social media advisory urges the government, parents and internet companies to take measures to protect youth from the potentially harmful mental effects.
The letter urged Facebook to stop allowing ads for recalled Fisher Price Rock ‘n’ Play Sleepers, linked to more than 100 child deaths, on its Marketplace platform
Heavy social media use may impact adolescent brain development and the brain's response to social interactions.
The JPML ordered that all social media addiction lawsuits will be centralized in the Northern District of California for pretrial proceedings.
Facebook and Instagram use algorithms which intentionally promote social media addiction and increase anxiety, particularly among teens
