Gov. Sanders reveals strategy to enable parents to take legal action against Big Tech for contributing to adolescent mental health emergency.

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Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas announced on Friday that she intends to tackle her state's contribution to the national youth mental health crisis by empowering parents to sue Big Tech companies and take legal action against "bad actors."

At the World Economic Forum next week in Davos, Switzerland, Sanders will discuss the impact of smartphones and social media on America's youth alongside "The Anxious Generation" author Jonathan Haidt.

At Davos, Sanders will join Beshear for a bipartisan session discussing state priorities and state governments' role in a presidential transition as Biden yields to Trump.

Sanders stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that safeguarding kids is a top priority for her administration regarding the Big Tech issue.

Teens' anxiety, depression, and suicide rates have surged in the past decade across America, and the cause is evident: unlimited phone and social media access, according to her.

"As your leader, I will ensure that Arkansas takes actions to strengthen parents' rights and safeguard children's well-being."

"I eagerly anticipate discussing this pressing matter at Davos and sharing how my administration is taking action to hold Big Tech responsible."

Sanders mentioned that she had previously launched a phone-free-school pilot program in 2024, which provides schools with state funding for phone pouches to prevent use during the school day, in response to concerns about Big Tech's role in exacerbating the nationwide youth mental health crisis.

Sanders intends to revise the Arkansas Social Media Safety Act, as her father, Mike Huckabee, was previously the state governor.

Sanders stated that modern threats necessitate modern solutions when it comes to holding Big Tech accountable in the mental health crisis.

"Our kids are the perfect example of this," she stated in her State of the State.

"Teen suicide rates in America have tripled, self-harm among girls has increased by nearly 200%, and depression among teenagers has risen by 150% in the past decade. The cause is evident: unlimited access to phones and social media."

A Centerton, Ark., mother was invited by her daughter, whose 16-year-old son took his own life after transitioning from an active, sports-loving teen to one who spent more and more time watching social media videos on his phone.

The boy, after his mother attempted to take his phone away, eventually retreated to his room and took his own life within 13 minutes.

"Sanders stated, "Months after experiencing grief, the boy's mother discovered his TikTok account and was shocked to see video after video detailing how to end his own life.""

"We will grant moms like her the authority to sue Big Tech corporations under state law, enabling them to penalize malicious actors."

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Haidt, who appeared with Sanders at Davos, expressed surprise at the contrast between the generation that was cautioned about the negative effects of television and the new generation that is being advised about the dangers of social media.

In the '90s, the technological environment was miraculous and we loved it. The millennial generation grew up on it and their mental health was fine. However, in 2012 and 2013, there was a sudden spike in mental health issues, despite the continued technological advancements.