CHARLESTON, West Virginia – The state Attorney General’s office filed a civil lawsuit against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, alleging the social‑media platform misrepresented its safety features and failed to shield young users from sexual exploitation.
Allegations and tragic background
The complaint was filed one day before the first anniversary of Bryce Tate’s death, a 15‑year‑old who was targeted by a predator posing as a teenage girl on Snapchat last November. According to the lawsuit, Bryce was coaxed into sending intimate photos, after which the predator demanded $500 and threatened to release the images. Bryce’s father, Adam Tate, said the predator sent roughly 120 messages in a 20‑minute span. That night, Bryce died by suicide.
The state also references the 2018 death of 12‑year‑old Cimarron Thomas, who was similarly contacted by an online predator on Snapchat. Both cases are presented as evidence of Snap’s alleged negligence.
Attorney General’s response
“They have deceived West Virginia parents and children about the safety of Snapchat while exposing kids to sexual exploitation,” Attorney General JB McCuskey said at a press conference. McCuskey announced the launch of the “Shield Initiative,” a three‑pronged education and prevention program designed to help students recognize and respond to sextortion and online exploitation. The steps are:
- Stop. Do not comply with demands and stay calm.
- Screenshot. Preserve any threatening messages as evidence.
- Show someone. Immediately tell a trusted adult.
“When kids know that they have somebody they can turn to in a moment of panic, then we know we can save kids,” McCuskey added.
Legal goals and broader context
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties against Snap and requests court‑ordered changes to the platform’s safety protocols. The claims have not yet been proven in court.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported more than 50,000 sextortion reports in 2025, averaging about 137 reports per day. The agency noted that at least three dozen teenage boys died by suicide after being targeted.
Advice for families
Adam Tate urged parents to have proactive conversations with their children about online safety. “Have this conversation with your kids before they are targeted,” he said. “If they make a simple mistake, it’s still safe to go to them. It’s not the time to ridicule them or punish them.”
The lawsuit underscores growing concerns among state officials about the responsibility of technology companies to protect minors. West Virginia officials say the case will set a precedent for how social‑media platforms address sexual exploitation and how they communicate safety measures to families.
Original reporting: WCHS Eyewitness News Charleston (local) — read the source article.
