Boston Files Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies Over Student Mental Health

, and Google, alleging that the companies designed platforms with features that deliberately target minors and contribute to increased mental health needs among students. The complaint, filed on behalf of Boston Public Schools, will be consolidated with similar cases brought by more than 1,500 school districts nationwide.

City officials stated that the platforms use endless scrolling, constant notifications, and targeted algorithms to increase user engagement at the expense of mental health.

A 2024 Boston Public Health Commission report found that the share of high school students reporting persistent sadness rose to 44 percent in 2021 from 27 percent in 2015. Over the past two decades, Boston has more than doubled the number of school psychologists, according to city statements.

The lawsuit also alleges that the companies have taken inadequate steps to verify users' ages, allowing easier access for children. Officials said the suit seeks both compensation for mental health services already provided and court-ordered changes to platform features.

A Meta spokesperson said the company strongly disagrees with the allegations and cited more than a decade of work with parents, experts, and law enforcement. A Google spokesperson said providing safer experiences for young users has long been central to the company's efforts and pointed to age-appropriate tools and parental controls.

ByteDance and Snap Inc. did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The complaint was not immediately available in the court's electronic filing system.