Former Judge Andrew Napolitano told Newsmax on Friday that if it was up to him, he would dismiss a lawsuit filed by two tribal nations against social media companies blaming them for the high rates of suicide among Native American youth.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday against the parent companies of Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube and Google by the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota and the Menominee Indian Tribe in Wisconsin.
The tribes say social media companies create dangerous features that lead to teens becoming addicted, often leading to deadly consequences. Seattle Public Schools filed a similar lawsuit last year. Google told the Associated Press the allegations were "simply not true," while Snap Inc. said it provides an alternative to a feed of online content.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide among Native Americans increased 20% from 2015 to 2020.
Napolitano, appearing on National Report, acknowledged that children are being harmed and addicted by social media, but that it comes down to parental responsibility.
"The world is filled with people trying to transfer their responsibility to somebody else," Napolitano said. "It is the responsibility of the parents to guard what the children see. It is not the responsibility of social media. In my court, this case would be dismissed."
About NEWSMAX TV:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America!
- Find Newsmax channel in your home via cable and satellite systems – More Info Here
- Watch Newsmax+ on your home TV app or smartphone and watch it anywhere! Try it for FREE – See More Here: NewsmaxPlus.com
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.