Two Native American tribes have taken legal action against major social media companies, alleging their platforms contribute to disproportionately high suicide rates among Native youth. The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the Spirit Lake Tribe of North Dakota filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County court against companies owning Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Google.
The lawsuit claims that Native American teens are heavily engaged with social media, with about two-thirds of youth aged 15-24 using these platforms for three to seven hours daily. This usage, the tribes argue, is directly fueling a mental health crisis among Native youth.
Menominee Tribal Chair Gena Kakkak stated, “Enough is enough. Endless scrolling is rewiring our teenagers’ brains.” The complaint highlights that in Wisconsin, American Indians were hospitalized for self-harm at more than twice the rate of their white counterparts.
The tribes accuse these companies of intentionally designing addictive features that particularly harm Native youth, who are already vulnerable due to historical traumas and ongoing disparities. Mary Owen, director of the Center of American Indian and Minority Health, emphasized that social media’s negative effects are amplified for Native communities still recovering from generational traumas.
The lawsuit also points out that the mental health crisis is straining tribal resources, impacting cultural preservation efforts and limiting funds for education and job creation. Other tribes are expected to join the lawsuit, similar to previous legal actions against opioid manufacturers.
Google has denied the allegations, stating they prioritize safer experiences for young users. However, this case joins a growing number of lawsuits against social media companies from various entities, including schools and states, alleging exploitation of youth for profit.
See “Wisconsin tribe sues social media companies over suicide rates among Native youth” (April 12, 2024)
