"Once-in-a-generation" funding opportunity for EE through social media lawsuits

[Jeanine Silversmith]

For those who don't know, there are a multitude of legal suits against social media companies for the damage they've done to young people's well-being and safety. There is a large and growing coalition of organizations (including RIEEA!) working to ensure any potential social media settlement funds go toward screen-free, in-real-life programming that helps youth thrive - like environmental education and outdoor recreation! 

📝 Please join RIEEA in signing this coalition letter of support to our state Attorney General's Office to ensure that settlement dollars respond to the problem by investing in the solution. The letter explicitly calls out "outdoor exploration and environmental conservation, and STEM programs" as well as "career exploration."

👉 In addition, please complete this survey to help Fund IRL (the coalition I mentioned above; more info below) determine who is interested in this work (we all are, right?!) and coordinate and support these efforts. As part of the survey, you can also join RIEEA and others as a coalition member and receive updates and action alerts directly. 

🎯 We need to be proactive and avoid the mistakes of past settlements. For example, the 1998 tobacco funds were absorbed into state budgets and the 2022 opioid settlements are flowing to competing priorities rather than prevention.

*****More about Fund IRL & the Social Media Legislation***** 

Across the country, attorneys general (including Rhode Island's AG!) are taking action against social media companies for designing platforms that maximize engagement at the expense of young people’s well-being and safety.

Like prior litigation against tobacco and opioid companies, these cases may result in significant payouts or settlement funds intended to address widespread public harm. Early outcomes in a few states demonstrate that these resources are beginning to materialize. At the same time, past public health settlements have shown that without clear safeguards, funds can be diverted away from the populations most directly affected.

Fund IRL aims to ensure potential settlement funds are invested in the population most impacted: children and youth. More specifically, funds should be invested in programs that facilitate connection “in real life” and support a young person’s social and emotional development. This includes after-school and out-of-school time programs, school- and community-based mental health services, and youth development initiatives that provide safe, healthy alternatives to excessive social media use. This could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fund programs and supports for youth, so advocacy is crucial.

Jeanine

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Jeanine Silversmith, Executive Director

(she, her, hers - why pronouns matter)

jsilve...@rieea.org, 401-569-8758 (cell)

50 Sims Avenue, Space 209, Providence, RI 02909

www.rieea.org