In this episode, we dive into the growing wave of lawsuits being filed against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Tik Tok by parents and guardians concerned about the mental and physical harm these platforms are causing younger users. Research indicates a troubling rise in social media addiction among teens, leading to severe mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and even suicide.

The issue gained significant attention when Frances Haugen, a former Facebook manager, leaked internal documents revealing Meta's knowledge of its platforms' harmful effects on users, especially teens. These documents exposed how Meta's algorithms are designed to maximize engagement at the expense of user well-being, often pushing content that promotes body image issues, risky behaviour, and mental health struggles.

We’ll explore the specific cases brought against Meta, such as the lawsuits filed by families who have lost loved ones to suicide or who are dealing with the repercussions of social media addiction. We'll also discuss the legal strategies being employed, including product liability and tort law, aimed at holding Meta accountable for prioritizing profits over safety.

Snapchat, owned by Snap Inc., is a preferred social media platform for 35% of teens, with over 85 million users in the U.S. as of 2020. Its popularity is driven by features that limit parental monitoring, encourage daily use, and allow users to share their location, raising significant safety concerns.

One notable case is Rodriguez v. Meta Platforms Inc. et al., where nine-year-old Selena Rodriguez became addicted to Snapchat and Instagram, leading to sleep deprivation, bullying, and severe mental health issues, culminating in her suicide at age 11.

In Doffing v. Meta Platforms Inc. and Snap Inc., Brittney Doffing is suing on behalf of her daughter M.K., who developed an addiction to Instagram and Snapchat at 14, resulting in sleep loss, body image issues, and psychiatric hospitalizations.

Other cases include Heffner vs. Meta and Snap Inc., where Ashleigh Heffner’s son Liam Birchfield became addicted to these platforms, leading to his suicide, and Dawley vs. Meta and Snap Inc., where CJ Dawley, a high-achieving student, fatally shot himself after becoming obsessed with social media.

Additionally, Snapchat is implicated in facilitating fentanyl poisonings, due to its features that allow users to erase communications easily. The FBI is investigating Snapchat’s role in the fentanyl poisoning deaths of teens, and lawsuits have been filed to represent these victims and their families.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-marquez-garrett-447a491b/
https://socialmediavictims.org/

#SocialMediaLawsuits #MetaLawsuits #SnapchatLawsuits #ProtectOurKids #MentalHealthAwareness #SocialMediaAddiction #TeenMentalHealth #TechAccountability #StopSocialMediaHarm #DigitalSafety #ParentalAwareness #YouthWellbeing #SocialMediaImpact #AnxietyAwareness #DepressionAwareness #EatingDisorders #SuicidePrevention #SocialMediaReform #OnlineSafety #AddictionAwareness #ProtectTeens #SafeSocialMedia #SocialMediaResponsibility #VictimsRights #HoldTechAccountable #SocialMediaVictims #DigitalWellbeing #FentanylCrisis #SnapchatSafety

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In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Qoria (formerly Family Zone), a company born from the vision of four dedicated parents determined to make digital spaces safer for children. Facing off against tech giants indifferent to online child protection, Qoria has emerged as a global leader in digital safety. We delve into the industry's complexities, including government funding for technology that doesn’t adequately protect families and how Qoria champions interoperable solutions against restrictive practices by companies like Microsoft.

From early boundaries to overt parental controls, we discuss why starting protective measures early makes a difference, empowering parents to safeguard their children's digital lives.

Tim Levy, Managing Director of Qoria, shares a deeply personal and moving story. The cyberbullying and subsequent suicide of his niece’s best friend left an indelible mark on him. He realized that children were navigating a digital world that was perilously unsafe. Motivated by a desire to protect his own kids and others, Tim joined forces with his close friend Crispin Swan, also a telco veteran. They were soon joined by Ben Trigger and Paul Robinson.

Together, they asked a fundamental question: Why can't we protect our children in their digital lives as well as we can in their home lives?

This question sparked the creation of Qoria. Their vision was to develop a suite of technology solutions that would empower parents, schools, and children to collaborate in ensuring digital safety. They sought to bridge the gaps left by siloed approaches, where schools, parents, and social and gaming platforms operated independently. They believed our children deserved better.

The Birth and Growth of Qoria:

In 2015, Family Zone was born. With a big vision, a recently launched consumer offering, and no money, they took a bold step by going public. Family Zone was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange the following year.

Tim reflects on their journey: "Since then, we have been incredibly lucky to be joined by some amazing businesses, trusted advisors, and loyal investors, all of whom share our passion and commitment for tackling what is clearly one of the most pressing problems of the modern world."

All tech is not safe for children in 2024 Telegram, Reddit, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Snapchat, Facebook, Whatsapp, Google Docs, Facebook, Instagram, Tor, Google Drive, Google Maps
https://qoria.com/our-story

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Welcome to the global initiative of SEEN Conversations. We are mastering children's mental health in the digital age.

Wade Haynes, Retired Principal, Brisbane State High School
Melanie Pilling, Editor Weekend Edition Courier Mail, Sunday Mail
Sam Jockel, CEO Parent TV, Producer SEEN documentary
Professor Selena Bartlett, neuroscientist, author being SEEN.

The conversation concerns parents, teachers, principals, educators, community organisations, policy-makers, and carers. We discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with smartphones and social media use among children and its impact on mental health.
* Raise Awareness: Discuss the effects of social media on children's mental health, supported by the latest research and data.
* Share Tools and Strategies: Provide practical tools and strategies for educators and parents to help children navigate the online world safely.
* Foster Collaboration: Encourage a collaborative approach to addressing online safety, involving all stakeholders in our community.
* Develop Action Plans: Create actionable plans that schools and families can implement to promote healthy online habits.

In today's fast-paced world, navigating parenting can be challenging. Here are the top insights to help you connect with your children and protect their well-being:

Everyone Needs to Be Seen
Our children need to feel truly seen for who they are. Make time to understand and appreciate them beyond the surface.

Engage with Media Together
Whether it’s reading, watching TV, playing video games, or using social media, do it alongside your children. This shared experience can strengthen your bond and provide valuable guidance.

Protect Our Children Online
While robust policies and legislation are essential, there are practical tips we can implement to safeguard our children's mental health and prevent long-term damage.

Community Effort for Mental Health
Tackling the mental health crisis requires a collective effort. Every small action counts, so let’s come together to make a difference.

The Challenge of Modern Parenting
We’re all feeling the stress of busy lives. Focus on small changes, like simply asking your children, “How was your day?”

Reconnect at Any Time
It’s never too late to rebuild relationships with your children. Don’t give up hope, and take steps to reconnect.

Love Is All You Need
Remember, the foundation of every relationship is love. Let it guide you in all your interactions.


Please follow us on www.profselenabartlett.com for updates and future events.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Kind regards

Selena and the SEEN team

#seen #masterchildrenmentalhealth #digital #wellness

We believe that coming together can significantly improve our children's well-being. Your participation and support are crucial to the success of this initiative.

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