Newtown, CT – Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) applauds the landmark verdict in a California lawsuit that found Meta and Google-owned YouTube liable for the mental distress of a young person by creating an addictive and harmful environment. This is a significant step in the right direction toward holding digital platforms accountable for their role in keeping kids safe online.
“Youth are not just little adults, and their brains are still developing the ability to emotionally regulate. Social media has an outsized influence on their mental health and behavior in powerful ways,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise. “This landmark verdict holds platforms accountable, setting a crucial precedent in saving lives and protecting youth mental health.”
The California jury’s decision sets a major precedent. It also highlights the critical conversation that comes next: that social media algorithms amplify and feed harmful content to susceptible youth.
“For years, Sandy Hook Promise has underscored the importance of supporting youth mental health as part of a comprehensive approach to creating safer schools and reducing gun violence. Through our Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS), we see firsthand the impact of social media on youth mental health, with the number one most common tip we receive being bullying and cyberbullying,” continued Hockley. “With social platforms making it easier than ever for kids to access harmful content – and demonstrate warning signs of crisis – we need to come together to put smarter measures in place that can help parents keep their kids safe.”
Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes collaboration across sectors, including policymakers and the technology industry. Social media companies must prioritize youth well-being, from the product development stage to actively addressing harmful content, such as firearm marketing, on their platforms. In addition, Sandy Hook Promise urges parents and caregivers to have conversations with their kids about what they’re seeing online and to learn the warning signs of a child in crisis.
Sandy Hook Promise remains committed to creating a culture engaged in preventing shootings and other acts of violence in schools and communities. We will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect our kids and give parents the tools to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to online safety for their kids.
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About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Through its proven “Know the Signs” programs, SHP teaches young people and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that promote gun safety and prevent the tragic loss of life.
Media Contact:
Weber Shandwick | [email protected]