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Tennessee AG files unredacted complaint showing harm of Instagram to teens
(The Center Square) – Tennessee’s attorney general filed an updated and un-redacted version of its lawsuit against Meta claiming the company knew its Instagram platform was harmful to young users and did not stop those harmful features. The features led young users to increased depression and anxiety along with increased hyperactivity, lack of sleep and other mental health harms. The lawsuit claims Meta knew of those issues and tried to hide them. “The un-redacted complaint makes clear that Meta knew its platforms were hurting kids and made a very clear decision to choose money over the mental health of its young users,” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement. “Tennessee law protects kids from companies, big or small, that mislead and hurt them, and we will continue to aggressively enforce that law.” Tennessee is one of several states, including New Mexico, currently suing Meta for conduct harmful to minors. The lawsuit accuses Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg of going against retained experts and making a filter available that mimicked the effects of plastic surgery, which it says had devastating effects on young women. Meta researched showed teens spoke of Instagram like addicts speak of something they know is bad for them but they cannot resist, the lawsuit says. Meta also learned that its “time spent” tool was inaccurate but continued to use the feature and tout it as a wellness feature.
Nashville schools to pay nearly $1M to former Hunters Lane student over sexual assaultNashville Tennessean Metro Nashville will pay nearly $1 million in a former Hunters Lane High School student's lawsuit against Nashville's public schools over a sexual assault by another student at the school. Between damages awarded on one claim after trial, attorney's fees and a payment to settle the student's other claims, she will receive $977,378.63 from the school district. The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education approved three settlements worth a total of $1,202,378.63 at its meeting Tuesday night. Associate Law Director for Metro Nashville Allison Bussell said that $902,378.63 went to the former Hunters Lane student. Bussell said "most" of that sum was to cover lawyer's fees in the case that lasted nearly seven years. The student had already been awarded damages after a trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in early 2022. In November, a panel of three 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges affirmed the lower court’s decision to award her $75,000 for one of her claims and vacated that court's decision to dismiss her other two claims In April 2017, a female freshman student was “subjected to unwelcome sexual contact by a male student” inside a classroom that was recorded by another female student. The video was rapidly shared among students on social media and uploaded to a pornography website, the court ruling states. Students called this “exposing,” according to court documents. “When female students were ‘exposed,’ they faced bullying and ridicule, while ‘exposed’ male students became popular,” the court ruling states. Other Hunters Lane students learned the student and her mother planned to meet with school leadership and began harassing and threatening the student and her family on social media. The student told a detective that one threat stated her mother would be shot as she entered the school, the court ruling states.
‘Attacking it on all fronts’: How TN is battling increased mental illness among kidsAdam Mintzer
At the same time, Yancey notes there is a shortage of mental health professionals. “There’s a growing need. The data from all sources point to that we see increased sadness and hopelessness among high school students,” Yancey said. “We’ve seen increases in emergency room presentations related to psychiatric emergencies, increases in suicidal ideation.” New TN official will oversee spending of over $40 million for child mental health However, Yancey said the Tennessee General Assembly has noticed. “The good news though, is that amid increases of depression, and anxiety, we’ve also seen increases in resources and funding in this department,” he said. Part of the increased funding from the General Assembly will be used for mental health provider retention and recruitment. As an example, Yancey said the department was able to use funding allocated during the special session in August to provide bonuses to about 4,000 professionals across the state. “Each who received one will also be required to commit time back to that agency,” he said. “So that’s going to help shore up the workforce on that front.” ‘A very vulnerable age’: Increased number of kids visiting ER for mental health crises They also received funding so the department can offer to cover the cost of tuition for some people looking to go to grad school to pursue a degree in behavioral health. “We’re going to pay up to $15,000 a year with the expectation that those individuals commit a commensurate amount of time back to a community mental health provider,” he said. But the department has also begun recruiting the next generation of mental health professionals as early as high school. The department has partnered with the University of Tennessee and the University of Memphis to go into high schools and educate students about careers in behavioral health. To make sure children and adults are getting the care they need from these professionals, the department is looking to make mental health services more widely available. “I think that’s the direction we’re going to be moving forward is capitalizing on the fact that [the mental health] stigma has abated, more people are looking for help, let’s take help to where people naturally are,” he said. Project RAISE aims to fill mental health gap in rural TN school districts The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is working to have at least one behavioral health specialist in every school, more specialists in hospitals and to increase access in rural communities. One of those initiatives is putting so-called “Family Support Specialists” in local children’s hospitals. “These are people, parents with lived experience, with their own children who have mental health issues. They’re working as an adjunct to those nurses to those doctors and helping that family once they are discharged from the emergency room, navigate the behavioral health system,” he explained. The department is also hoping to continue opening crisis stabilization units across the state. These are free, 24/7 facilities for someone experiencing a mental health emergency to stay for a short time.
Haley Collins was one of our amazing TN Student Eagles, and was my intern at the TN General Assembly in 2019. She has also served as Political and Fundraising Training Intern for Leadership Institute. Her mother passed away on Wednesday. Haley Collins is with Beth CollinsMy mom went to be with the Lord yesterday. She was the most selfless, caring, and strong
woman I’ve ever known. She is now in complete peace in the presence of Our Heavenly Father. My family and I would appreciate your prayers. Beth Ann Collins 1969-2024 Message from our Student Eagle Leader Frances Arthur: About 8 years ago, I took a group of students and parents on a trip to Philadelphia and Boston. We got to eat lunch one day at the restaurant once frequented by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Obviously, it was an incredible experience, during which we snapped this photo of Beth Collins, her daughter and my student Haley Collins, and me.
Beth passed away Wednesday, and my heart is completely broken. It is rare to find someone who supports your efforts in everything you do. When you find them, hang on tightly! I've found a few of those friends now, and am incredibly grateful for them. Beth was perhaps the first. I miss her so much! God bless her memory and her family.
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