Social Media Lawyer Lee W. Davis represents victims of Online Threats, Cyber Harassment and the Real Injuries and Pain caused to victims and their families. The victims, usually using social media or text messages, are exposed to threats that effects both mental and physical health and well being of children and adults. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat know their users, young and old, are targeted by predators on these social media platforms for abuse and harassment.
How Social Media is harmful?
Social media use can also negatively affect teens, distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives and peer pressure.
The risks might be related to how much social media teens use. A 2019 study of more than 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spent more than three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems. Another 2019 study of more than 12,000 13- to 16-year-olds in England found that using social media more than three times a day predicted poor mental health and well-being in teens.
Other studies also have observed links between high levels of social media use and depression or anxiety symptoms. A 2016 study of more than 450 teens found that greater social media use, nighttime social media use and emotional investment in social media — such as feeling upset when prevented from logging on — were each linked with worse sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437
Misuse of Social Media Can Cause Negative Effects:
Often Social Media platforms contain dangerous product features. Cyber Harassment or Cyber Bullying over social media has real life injuries and consequences for victims.
Social Medial Addiction may cause Anxiety, Depression, Difficulty concentrating, Hyperactivity and nervousness, Long-term mental illness, Substance abuse and Suicide have all been associated with Social Media usage.
Read about the Lawsuit the Law Offices of Lee W. Davis filed against Snapchat
Social Media Companies are Aware of the Harm and Effects of Their Platforms
Facebook whistleblower testimony to Congress:
“The company’s leadership knows how to make Facebook and Instagram safer, but won’t make the necessary changes because they put their astronomical profits before people.”
Frances Haugen, Facebook whistleblower, Testimony before the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Tuesday, October 5, 2021
“The research was Facebook’s internal research. So they knew what they were doing, they knew where the violations were and they know they are guilty.”
“Facebook is not interested in making significant changes to improve kids’ safety on their platforms, at least not when that would result in losing eyeballs on posts or decreasing their ad revenues.”
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, (R)Tennessee, U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Tuesday, October 5, 2021
“The damage to self-interest and self-worth inflicted by Facebook today will haunt a generation.”
“Big Tech now faces the Big Tobacco jaw-dropping moment of truth.”
“Our children are the ones who are victims. Teens today looking in the mirror feel doubt and insecurity. Mark Zuckerberg ought to be looking at himself in the mirror.”
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut, U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Tuesday, October 5, 2021
The Dangers of Social Media that Parents and Kids need to be aware of:
- Cyberbullying.
- Online predators.
- Sharing too much information.
- False marketing.
- Dangerous viral trends.
Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dangers-of-social-media-for-youth/
What Is Cyber Harassment or Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying Definition
cy·ber·bul·ly·ing /ˌsībərˈbo͝olēiNG/ – noun – the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
- Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok
- Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
- Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet
- Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit
- Online gaming communities
Source Stopbullying.gov
Social Media Lawyer Lee W. Davis helps victims when Social Media applications cause severe problems anxiety, depression and fear from threats and grooming for child abuse.
What are Online Predators?
The FBI says there are Online Risks from Social Media:
The internet, for all of its benefits, also gives criminals and predators an easy way to reach young people. The FBI most often sees crimes against children begin when an adult:
- Forges a relationship with a young victim online and then later arranges to meet and abuse the child; or
- Coerces a child into producing sexually explicit images or videos through manipulation, gifts, or threats—a crime called sextortion.
The most important advice for parents is to have open and ongoing conversations about safe and appropriate online behavior. Other advice to consider:
- Educate yourself about the websites, software, games, and apps that your children use.
- Check their social media and gaming profiles and posts. Have conversations about what is appropriate to say or share.
- Explain to your kids that once images or comments are posted online they can be shared with anyone and never truly disappear.
- Make sure your kids use privacy settings to restrict access to their online profiles.
- Tell your children to be extremely wary when communicating with anyone online who they do not know in real life.
- Encourage kids to choose appropriate screen names and to create strong passwords.
- Make it a rule with your kids that they can’t arrange to meet up with someone they met online without your knowledge and supervision.
- Stress to your children that making any kind of threat online—even if they think it’s a joke—is a crime.
- Report any inappropriate contact between an adult and your child to law enforcement immediately. Notify the site they were using, too.
Source: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/parents-and-caregivers-protecting-your-kids
Sharing Too Much Information
Social Media entices children and teens to share their location. Social Media Applications share their exact location with others they believe are friends. That is not always the case. Stories of predators pursuing children are not new, but features like Snapchat’s Map feature can lead real life child abuse and rape.
Social Media Lawyer Lee W. Davis has more than 25 years experience battling corporate wrongdoing for injured clients and helps Parents and their Children battle Social Media Companies. If you feel you or your Child has been harmed by using social media in any way, please call now for a Free Consultation with Lee to see if you have a case.