AG's Office looking for public input on social media's negative impact on youth

The Attorney General Office's investigation is just one part of a multifaceted effort by the State to respond to the impacts of social media on New Hampshire's youth (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - The Attorney Generals Office is following up on Governor Chris Sununu's executive order to investigate the potential harm being done to Granite State youth.

The state's AG, John M. Formella, announced on Tuesday that the New Hampshire Department of Justice is actively working to solicit feedback from families here in New Hampshire as part of a national investigation into the impacts of social media.

"New Hampshire's children are the future of our state and our nation, and we are making every effort to ensure necessary steps are taken to prevent harm by these platforms," said Sununu. "New Hampshire will look at all necessary options to protect our children."

"We want to hear from people who have loved ones, particularly young people, who have been negatively affected by social media," added Formella. "Extensive social media use has been tied to profound risks of harm in youth. Indeed, there has been an increased focus on the correlation between the development of serious mental health disorders by minors and time spent on social media."

Anyone who has witnessed or experienced negative impacts from social media use on the mental health of a young person is encouraged to share your name, contact information, age of the person impacted, a brief summary of what you have seen, and the social media platform(s) involved to the following email address: SMPImpact@doj.nh.gov.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office has been investigating this crucial issue for two years now, looking into the business practices of social media platforms, and engaging with educators, health care experts, municipalities, and our fellow Attorneys General across the United States.

"My office is now considering how it can best protect New Hampshire's youth from the harm these platforms cause and promote," said Formella. "Eliminating the harmful effects of social media on New Hampshire's youth and holding social media platforms accountable for their actions is a top priority for me."

The Attorney General Office's investigation is just one part of a multifaceted effort by the State to respond to the impacts of social media on New Hampshire's youth. Earlier this month Governor Sununu signed an Executive Order calling on the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to create guidelines for a curriculum to be included in all K-12 health education courses across the State on the dangers of social media.