Parents, Samuel Chapman and Laura Berman, Who Say Their Children Died After Getting Illegal Drugs on Snapchat Speak out ahead of Upcoming Lawsuit

In recent years, two heart-wrenching stories have emerged, shedding light on the dangers young people face on social media platforms. Samuel Chapman and Laura Berman each faced the unimaginable loss of a child due to alleged involvement with illicit substances obtained via Snapchat.

In 2021, Samuel and Laura's son, Sammy, just 16 years old and a high school junior, tragically passed away after an overdose on a fentanyl-laced pill, reportedly sourced from someone on Snapchat. Similarly, in 2020, Amy Neville's 14-year-old son, Alexander, was preparing for his freshman year when he lost his life to a fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill, which he is said to have acquired through the same platform.

This Wednesday, Neville, Berman, and Chapman, along with numerous other parents, will gather at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse for a pivotal hearing in a lawsuit they've brought against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. Their claim alleges that Snapchat, in enabling drug dealers to reach minors and young adults, is responsible for the tragic incidents.

During the hearing, a judge will determine the fate of the parents' lawsuit. Will it move forward to seek justice, or will the company's motion to dismiss be granted?

"Kids' lives are at stake, and Snapchat cannot turn a blind eye to this," says Neville, emphasizing the need for legal action. The battle to hold Snapchat and similar social media platforms accountable involves both lawsuits and legislative efforts, she adds.

The lawsuit, initially filed in October 2022, now encompasses over 60 parents, all grieving the loss of their children who allegedly fell victim to illegal drug transactions on Snapchat. In nearly all these cases, the children tragically lost their lives after consuming the drugs.

Snapchat's unique features, such as automatically deleted messages, geolocation services, and the My Eyes Only privacy feature, have been cited in the lawsuit as contributing to the platform's allure for drug dealers. These features, it's argued, make it difficult to track illicit activities.

The lawsuit contends that Snap Inc.'s role in facilitating drug sales to teens was a foreseeable consequence of the platform's design choices aimed at maximizing profits.

"Snapchat may not be the most popular platform among young people, but it's uniquely suited for drug dealers," explains Matthew Bergman, an attorney representing the families in the lawsuit. The goal is to push Snapchat to make its platform safer for young users by taking responsibility for the potential harm it can cause.

Neville, who founded the Alexander Neville Foundation after her son's tragic death, is determined to prevent other families from enduring the same pain. She underscores the urgency of addressing the dangers posed by social media.

Snap Inc. declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing ongoing litigation. However, they assert their commitment to using advanced technology to protect users and raise awareness about the risks of substances like fentanyl.

 

[SOURCE]