Published: Oct. 22, 2023, 1:16 p.m.Social media companies have allegedly contributed to a mental health crisis among Carroll County students and caused eating disorders, cyberbullying, depression and anxiety among other issues.
In a 183-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland on Tuesday, lawyers for the Frederick school district William Shinoff is lead public entity attorney with Frantz Law Group in California and is the lead attorney in the social media suits. He was also lead litigator against Juul. “Each district is providing their own story,” Shinoff said. “... What has been consistent across the board with all my clients is that issues with social media is not a monthly problem, or a weekly problem, or even a daily problem. It’s literally an hourly problem.
For a ruling favorable to the schools, Shinoff must prove under public nuisance law that social media companies caused harm in schools, were aware of the harm they were causing, and failed to provide adequate warning of that harm.