Mental health advocates hope Meta settlement funds go to more resources
CONCORD, N.H. —
At the center of the lawsuit that Meta settled Wednesday for $17 billion was how social media affects the mental health of young people.
Critics have accused social media companies of using their algorithms to drive addictive behavior, but mental health advocates also worry about the bullying that happens online.
In a survey done by the Department of Health and Human Services, 18% of students surveyed said they have been electronically bullied through texting or social media.
The data show that there has been a slight decrease in that number compared to 2023. It’s now around pre-COVID levels, but advocates said it should be even lower.
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Susan Stearns, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – New Hampshire, said people scrolling through social media feeds can feel overwhelmed by what others are posting.
“We also know that the ways people portray themselves online are not always realistic, and it can set unrealistic standards, especially for young people, that can cause harm,” Stearns said.
Stearns said she would like to see the settlement money used for more mental health resources, such as access to early screening, expanding access to care and in-home services.