Montgomery County sues social media companies over youth mental health harm

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Montgomery County has filed a lawsuit against Meta, Snap, TikTok, Google and other tech companies, alleging that their social media platforms harm the mental health of the more than 180,000 minors who live there.

“Too many young people are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm, and other serious mental health challenges,” Jamila Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, said in a press statement Wednesday. “We believe social media companies must be held accountable for the role their products play in harming young people.”

The county’s lawsuit is one of thousands filed by states, municipalities and school districts that claim major social media companies have made their platforms addictive to children and teenagers, with damaging consequences.

Social media companies damage youth mental health, county alleges

Per the complaint, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the county is suing the companies on behalf of its 148 school districts and the approximately 181,583 minors it serves. The county is the largest jurisdiction in Pennsylvania to file litigation against the social media corporations.

The county accuses the companies of negligence and public nuisance. According to the 2025 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, 33% of students in grades six through 12 reported depressive symptoms at levels the survey considers a risk factor. The study cited federal research that found adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face roughly double the risk of mental health problems, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.

“When companies profit from products that contribute to a growing youth mental health crisis, we have a responsibility to act,” Commissioner Neil Makhija said in the press statement Wednesday. “That’s why the County and District Attorney’s Office are working together to protect our residents from harmful products and predatory business practices.”

José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, said Thursday in a statement to WHYY News that “providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.”

“In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls. The allegations in these complaints are simply not true,” he said.

The other companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The litigation follows a lawsuit filed this month by state Attorney General Dave Sunday, asking TikTok “to put into place effective barriers and safeguards” for children and teens using the popular platform in order to limit addictiveness and exposure to mature content.

What the county is doing for youth mental health

The county’s efforts to support student mental health during the 2025-2026 school year included more than 200 screenings, 620 support groups and suicide prevention education for nearly 1,500 students.

A program involving law enforcement and five school districts, called Handle With Care, is another way in which the county is expanding support to students affected by traumatic incidents, officials said. The county also plans to open its first 24/7 emergency behavioral health crisis center later this year.

“Mental health is something that touches every family, every school, and every community,” Commissioner Tom DiBello said in the press statement Wednesday. “That’s why Montgomery County has worked to expand access to services, support young people, and strengthen our behavioral health system. We’re committed to making sure residents know help is available and that they don’t have to face these challenges alone.”