January 28, 2025

Del Norte, CA- Yesterday, Del Norte County filed a public nuisance lawsuit against social media companies such as Meta, Facebook, Instagram, Snap, Google, YouTube, and TikTok. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the people of the state of California, was filed in Del Norte Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges that defendant social media companies have created a public nuisance and health crisis among minors who have developed compulsive and addictive behaviors due to social media algorithms and user interface design intended to create repetitive uses.

“These multi-billion-dollar social media companies have knowingly targeted and profited from minors’ excessive and compulsive uses,” said Del Norte County Counsel Jacqueline Roberts. “The defendants have caused a public health crisis of compulsive, repetitive, and addictive behavior among minors in Del Norte County, and this lawsuit seeks to abate this nuisance through programs, public education, and services funded by the same companies that have profited from the nuisance they created.”

The 240-page complaint outlines the way in which the social media defendants have targeted minors throughout the country and the way in which minors have been negatively affected. The lawsuit alleges social media companies’ intended compulsive use causes minors to suffer mental health, social, and behavioral challenges unique to social media addiction.

The lawsuit was filed by County Counsel Jacqueline Roberts and outside counsel law firms Baron & Budd, Diab Chambers, Wagstaff & Cartmell, Beasley Allen, and Goza & Honnold.

For media inquiries, please contact John Fiske at jfiske@baronbudd.com