Carella Byrne Partner Michael Innes was featured in recent The 74 article titled Teen Mental Health Crisis Pushes More School Districts to Sue Social Media Giants.
Both legislative and legal efforts are after similar goals: changing the algorithms and product design believed to be hurting and addicting kids. Through lawsuits, districts also seek financial compensation for the increased mental health services and training they’ve “been forced” to establish.
“The harms caused by social media companies have impacted the districts’ ability to carry out their core mission of providing education. The expenditures are not sustainable and divert resources from classroom instruction and other programs,” said Michael Innes, partner with Carella Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, a firm representing New Jersey schools.
Previous complaints against opioid and e-cigarette companies, which levied public nuisance and negligence claims as districts’ social media filings do, resulted in multimillion dollar settlements.
