Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has filed a civil lawsuit against YouTube and its parent companies, Google LLC and Alphabet Inc., alleging that the platform’s design and practices have caused harm to young people in Nevada.
The complaint asserts that YouTube employs product features—such as endless video feeds, algorithmic targeting, content prioritization based on user engagement, frequent notifications, disappearing content, and limited parental controls—that are intended to keep children engaged for extended periods. The suit claims these features contribute to problematic internet use, addiction, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, negative body image, and other harms affecting the physical well-being of minors.
“One of the core responsibilities of my office is consumer protection, and there may be no more important consumers than Nevada’s youth,” said AG Ford. “Today’s litigation is a necessary step to ensure that our state’s youth are not exploited by social media platforms and that they can grow into adults without the addictive and harmful impacts that these platforms can cause. I will take every step to protect the children in our great state, and that includes holding accountable those who exploit and harm our youth.”
According to data cited in the lawsuit, YouTube generated $31.5 billion in revenue in 2023 through advertising targeted at users while collecting their data.
This legal action follows similar lawsuits brought by the Nevada Office of the Attorney General against other major social media companies including Meta (owner of Instagram, Facebook, Messenger), TikTok, and Snap. These cases were initiated in January 2024 due to concerns about social media’s impact on minors’ mental health.
AG Ford noted progress with previous cases: “The office’s cases against YouTube’s rivals are all proceeding toward trial despite multiple efforts by the companies to dismiss them, with the first trial against Snapchat scheduled to begin in January 2027.” He added his intent to hold another large platform accountable for alleged harms inflicted on Nevada’s children.
