“Boston sues social media companies over ‘addictive’ features, joining nationwide litigation”, 8 July 2026

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced Wednesday that the city is suing social media companies — including Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube — over their alleged deliberate targeting of minors with addictive features. 

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Boston Public Schools in federal court in California, will be consolidated with more than 1,500 similar complaints from school districts around the country, Wu’s office said.

The lawsuit seeks to force the companies to remove addictive features and compensate the city for the mental health support needed by students. It alleges the companies designed addictive features specifically to keep young people engaged…

In a statement, Wu said that these companies have evidence of the harm they are causing to children. 

“Boston is taking legal action to protect children and youth and hold these companies accountable. Today, we are making it clear that social media companies must end exploitative practices and be accountable to standards of basic protection for children,” she said...

BPS officials say that they have seen a “significant increase” in social media-fueled mental health needs over the past decade…