In late October, Hancock County schools joined a class-action lawsuit alongside 250 other school districts against major social media companies, including Meta, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok.
Former Superintendent Dan Enich explained the lawsuit’s goals. This includes benefits to students’ mental health and the reduction of addictive algorithms. Enich stated, “As a growing trend, social media has taken avenues that have been detrimental to student safety and mental well-being, up to and including suicidal outcomes.” The lawsuit also seeks to reduce cyber-bullying and to create a rating system of social media.
“We investigated the options and possible positive or negative outcomes. We felt there were all positives and no negatives to go on this mission,” stated Enich.
Enich provided a document with further information which was used when deciding to join the lawsuit. The document describes how academic studies have shown significant rises in depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide rates.
The document also stated, “The widespread adoption of social media has played a key role in the decline of youth mental health. For years, major social media companies responsible for popular platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat have intentionally designed and developed their products to addict children.”
“The lawsuits seek both monetary damages and injunctive relief, which would require social media companies to make changes to the designs of their products,” also stated in the document.
For student opinions, a poll asked students’ thoughts on the lawsuit. Multiple students who responded described how they felt Hancock County Schools’ involvement in the lawsuit was unnecessary.
Senior Hunter Antol replied, “I feel that it is a waste of time and money due to HCS being in a financial situation and that HCS and its schools use these forms of social media to convey messages every day.”
The poll also asked students how they feel social media affects them and their classmates. The results showed mixed opinions, with students expressing both upsides and downsides. Some described how social media was entertaining and allowed them to communicate with others. Meanwhile, some said it could be distracting and allow for cyber-bullying to take place.
Sophomore Giana Mastrantoni stated, “It has pros and cons, it can be used to communicate with friends. It does have some overall downsides on mental health, though.”
Enich stated, “It is our duty, whether it is social media issues, weapon detectors for possible weapon deterrents, safety on ball fields, weapon resistant window film, or the inclusion of PROs…..we strive to be ready to aid in any reduction of harmful elements that could enter a school system.”
