What business models are accused of addicting young social media users?

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Snapchat Settles Lawsuit Alleging Harmful Business Models

Snapchat has reached a settlement to avoid a US civil trial that accused the company, alongside Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, of addicting young people to social media. This case was considered a "bellwether" proceeding, meaning its outcome could influence numerous similar lawsuits across the United States. While specific details of the settlement remain undisclosed, the core of these legal challenges centres on allegations that social media companies employ business models designed to capture and retain user attention.
Business Models Accused of Holding Attention

The legal complaints assert that the fundamental business models of these social media platforms are engineered to maximise user engagement. This design is alleged to foster addiction by continuously providing content intended to hold individuals' attention for extended periods. These models are central to the accusations that companies are prioritising engagement metrics over the well-being of their young user base.
Promotion of Harmful Content

Beyond simply holding attention, these business models are also accused of actively promoting content that negatively impacts the mental health of young users. Lawsuits contend that algorithms within these platforms are designed in ways that lead to the amplification of material contributing to issues such as depression, eating disorders, psychiatric hospitalisation, and even suicide among adolescents. The lawsuit proceeding in Los Angeles specifically points to social media algorithms as a cause of severe mental health problems for a 19-year-old woman.
Legal Framework and Accountability

Internet titans have historically argued for legal immunity under US law, which generally shields them from responsibility for user-generated content. However, these recent cases challenge this stance, arguing that the companies are culpable due to the very design of their business models. These models, it is argued, are not neutral conduits but active participants in shaping the user experience and content consumption, thus bearing responsibility for the harms that result.

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What business models are accused of addicting young social media users?

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