Meta snap sued by mother of Wisconsin teen for his suicide
Meta Platform and Snap are now seeking legal action against the platform's owners over alleged relapses of teens, they say. Christopher James Dawley, also known as CJ was a college-bound honors student teenager who specialized in sport, but he became deeply drawn into social media and became obsessed over his body image he often posted and frequently communicating on Instagram at odd hours. (Sources say either 3p.m. or 3a.m)
In January 2014, the headline of this article takes place.
This is the latest effort by an advocacy group to hold the social media giants responsible for addiction to their platforms. All according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Wisconsin federal court.
Meta Platforms is seeking compensation from Facebook for allegedly misusing the site to encourage users to use their services on the website. Meta Platforms is suing Snap Inc. for its addictions to social media and has defended its actions.
A floating symbol on the logo for meta.
Precursors to the Suicide
“CJ never showed outward signs of depression or mental injury but became addicted to defendants’ social media products, progressively sleep deprived, and increasingly obsessed with his body image,” his mother, Donna Dawley, said in her complaint. Something not rare among those who participate in outdoor activities or played sports.
A person tying themselves up from a higher place depicted outside of the photograph.
What Happened (WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT)
In January 2014, while CJ’s family was cleaning Christmas decorations and about a month before his 17th birthday, he posted “Who turned out the light?” on his Facebook page, held a 22-caliber rifle in one hand, his smart phone in the other, and shot himself to death, the court filing shows.
Why it Happened
Like previous cases filed by Seattle-based Social Media Victims Law Center, the suit alleges that Meta deliberately designed algorithms that keep teens hooked onto their platforms to promote excessive use that they know is indicative of addictive and self-destructive use.
Donna Dawley alleged in her claim that there has been no warnings of addiction for Meta or Snap users, and it's mentally harmful effects known to cause amongst minor users.
Pins of Facebook symbols including thumb up symbolising a like button and the Facebook logo in two different variations.
This tragedy is not the first nor will it be the last until legislation can keep up with the online world. See article below about another teenager's suicide.
Related article by bloomberg on 11 year old girl who comitted suicide from the same cause.
Teen suicide rates are only going to continue if this issue is not addressed by the justice system and politicians can work outside of the social media giants lobbying for the continued uninhibited addiction to social media.
Meta and Snap representatives were unable to be contacted outside of regular business hours seeking comment.
The case is Dawley v. Meta Platforms Inc., 22-cv-00444, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin.