Ford’s Latest Lawsuit Shows Government Growing Too Big
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford just filed another lawsuit. This time, he’s going after YouTube. He says the platform hurts kids in Nevada. But here’s the real question we should ask: When did it become government’s job to parent our children?
Ford announced Monday that his office is suing YouTube, Google, and Alphabet. He claims YouTube creates an “addictive and harmful platform” that targets kids. The lawsuit says YouTube causes depression, anxiety, and poor body image in young people.
The Pattern of Government Expansion
This isn’t Ford’s first rodeo. He’s already sued TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. All for the same reasons. He’s building a pattern of government telling private companies how to run their businesses.
“One of the core responsibilities of my office is consumer protection, and there may be no more important consumers than Nevada’s youth,” Ford said in a statement.
But wait a minute. Since when did consumer protection mean replacing parents with government lawyers?
What Makes This a Conservative Issue
Limited government conservatives should be very worried about this trend. Ford is using taxpayer money to sue private companies for providing legal services. These platforms don’t force anyone to use them. Parents can choose what their kids access online.
The lawsuit attacks YouTube’s basic features. Things like endless scrolling, targeted content, notifications, and like buttons. These are normal business practices. Ford wants courts to decide how private companies can design their products.
Google spokesperson José Castañeda pushed back hard. “The allegations in the complaint are simply not true,” he said. “Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.”
YouTube Already Offers Solutions
Here’s what Ford’s lawsuit ignores. YouTube already created YouTube Kids specifically for children. This separate app has stronger content filters, time limits, and parental controls. Parents can choose age-appropriate content for kids under 13.
YouTube also offers Restricted Mode on its main platform. Parents can turn this on to filter out potentially mature content. The company has invested millions in these family-friendly features.
But Ford’s lawsuit doesn’t give YouTube credit for these efforts. Instead, it treats all YouTube content the same way. That’s like suing a bookstore because adults and children’s books sit in the same building.
The Real Numbers Behind Social Media Use
Recent studies show mixed results about social media and kids. Some research links heavy use to mental health issues. But other studies find benefits like connection and learning opportunities. The science isn’t settled.
A 2024 Pew Research poll found that 95% of teens have access to smartphones. About 45% say they’re online “almost constantly.” But the same poll showed 43% of teens think social media has a positive effect on their lives.
What Critics Are Missing
Ford and other government officials pushing these lawsuits miss a key point. We already have solutions that don’t require big government. Parents can use YouTube Kids for younger children. They can set screen time limits. They can talk to their kids about online safety.
Many conservatives worry these lawsuits set dangerous precedents. If government can sue companies for designing “addictive” products, what’s next? Will they go after video game makers? Fast food restaurants? Toy companies?
The Slippery Slope of Regulation
This kind of government action grows over time. Today it’s social media companies. Tomorrow it could be any business that government officials think might harm someone. That’s not limited government. That’s the nanny state in action.
Private companies already respond to consumer pressure. When parents complain, companies often make changes. YouTube created YouTube Kids because parents asked for better options. The market works when we let it.
What Comes Next
These lawsuits could drag on for years. They’ll cost Nevada taxpayers millions in legal fees. Even if Ford wins, the real winners will be lawyers, not families.
Other states are watching Nevada’s approach. If these suits succeed, expect copycat lawsuits across the country. That means more government control over private business decisions.
Actions Conservatives Can Take
Conservative Nevadans have several options to push back against this overreach. Contact state legislators about limiting the attorney general’s power to file these kinds of suits. Support candidates who believe in limited government and parental rights.
Write letters to local newspapers explaining why parents, not government lawyers, should make decisions about kids’ internet use. Vote for school board members who support teaching digital literacy instead of relying on lawsuits.
Most importantly, exercise your own parental authority. Use YouTube Kids for younger children. Set up parental controls on regular YouTube for teens. Don’t wait for government to solve problems you can handle at home.
The choice is clear. We can have limited government that trusts parents to raise their own children. Or we can have big government that thinks bureaucrats know better than families. Ford’s lawsuit pushes us toward the second option. That should worry every conservative who values freedom and personal responsibility.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
