Montreal: A 24-year-old citizen in Montreal, Canada has filed a lawsuit against social media platforms TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram and Facebook, claiming that social media is the worst addiction and its negative effects on mental health. are
CTV News reports that the petitioner, through Montreal law firm Lambert Advocates, has named Facebook, Instagram, as well as TikTok, YouTube and Reddit as parties to its petition.
The petition states that social media platforms are designed in such a way that users become addicted, which has adverse effects on health and self-esteem.
The 24-year-old, who filed the petition in court, said that he started using social media in 2015 and alleged that he was having problems with creative work and that his physical condition had deteriorated.
He has said that he uses social media websites for 4 hours daily, but after these effects, he has reduced the use of social media to two hours.
Philippe Brault, associated with Lambert Advocates, said the young man believed he was still having problems with normal work and sleep and was having negative effects.
He said he has been contacted by several people since the news broke about the case, so the law firm is excited to take on the case because of what they believe is a high-impact issue.
According to Philippe Brault, it is estimated that in 2024, humans will be using social media for a total of 500 million years, showing that this is not an individual problem in particular, but a widespread problem. It is for everyone.
The lawsuit claims that social media platforms are deliberately set up in such a way that users become dependent on it.
The law firm believes that owners of social media platforms have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of users as a top priority, especially children.
According to Philippe Brault, 52% of children between the ages of 7 and 11 in Canada use social media.
Technology expert Carmi Levy quoted the owners as focusing on profit and not on the wider benefit to society even as they believe their tools are impacting users’ mental health. But they are not doing anything to stop it.
