NEW CUMBERLAND — Numerous medical studies in recent years have drawn correlations between the increased use of social media and mental health issues developing in youth.

Members of the Hancock County Board of Education are taking steps to join an effort to push social media companies to take more ownership of the effects their platforms may have on the minds of the nation’s children.

As part of Monday’s meeting, the school board affirmed a recommendation from Superintendent of Schools Dan Enich to begin the process of joining a national class action lawsuit on social media addiction against the ownership of four of the world’s largest social media platforms.

Enich explained it has been a topic of discussion among officials from several school systems in West Virginia, with some boards of education already signing on to one of the thousands of class action lawsuits currently filed in the nation’s court systems.

“A lot of the superintendents have been talking about it,” Enich said, indicating Hancock County Schools also has been approached by a few legal firms and organizations involved in one or more of the lawsuits.

Enich noted there was not a specific incident within Hancock County Schools which spurred Monday’s action.

“Nationwide, there’s a lot of legal action underway by a lot of law firms,” he said.

Many of those lawsuits are filed against four specific companies or platforms – TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Meta which owns Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

“School districts are facing significant costs,” Enich said, indicating there is an increased need for counseling and other measures by schools to address mental health issues among student bodies.

According to a survey conducted by Johns Hopkins, nearly half of teens interviewed say they use the internet “almost constantly,” and nine in 10 teens use social media daily. In addition, almost 40% of children between the ages of 8 and 12 participating in the survey reported use of social media, even though many platforms have a required minimum age of 13.

While the study indicates some positive aspects of social media use, including access to information, safe places to express themselves, and opportunities for community interactions, it warns of potential negative side effects including social isolation, lack of healthy activities, and lack of sleep.

Enich reported he would bring a recommendation for legal representation in connection with the lawsuits to the board for consideration at one of its upcoming meetings.