Families Protest Snapchat, Demand Safety Changes After Child Deaths

Over 40 grieving families block access to Snap Inc. headquarters, painting names of deceased children on the road

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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More than 40 families, grieving the loss of children, protested outside Snap Inc. Headquarters on Thursday, demanding the social media platform prioritize youth safety. The demonstration, which included blocking access to the Santa Monica Business Park and painting the names of 108 deceased children and young adults on the road, highlights growing concerns about the dangers lurking within popular social media apps.

Why it matters

The protest coincides with a landmark civil trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court challenging Meta and YouTube for allegedly promoting addictive products. Thousands of similar suits are pending, reflecting a broader societal reckoning with the potential harms of these platforms, especially for young users.

The details

Families shared heartbreaking stories of loss, attributing their children's deaths to exposure to drugs, online bullying, and sexual exploitation facilitated by Snapchat. Amy Neville, who lost her son Alexander in 2020, believes he connected with a drug dealer through the app and died after taking a pill laced with fentanyl. Todd Minor Sr., whose 12-year-old son Matthew died in 2019 as a result of a TikTok challenge, emphasized the 'addictive, harmful and careless' nature of these applications.

  • The protest took place on Thursday, February 13, 2026 outside Snap Inc. Headquarters in Santa Monica, California.
  • A landmark civil trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court challenging Meta and YouTube is currently underway.

The players

Snap Inc.

The parent company of the social media platform Snapchat.

Amy Neville

A mother who lost her son Alexander in 2020, believing he connected with a drug dealer through Snapchat and died after taking a pill laced with fentanyl.

Todd Minor Sr.

A father whose 12-year-old son Matthew died in 2019 as a result of a TikTok challenge.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The families are united in their call for change, seeking to prevent further tragedies and demanding Snap Inc. implement stronger safety measures to protect young users.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing concerns and legal challenges facing social media companies over the potential harms their platforms pose to minors, including drug access, bullying, and sexual exploitation. The outcome of these cases could significantly shape the future of social media regulation and user safety.