Amy Neville’s 14-year-old son, Alexander, died from a fentanyl overdose after purchasing a drug from someone on Snapchat, which led her to advocate for safer social media practices.
She, along with other families, is suing Snapchat, alleging the platform facilitated drug sales and contributed to a growing fentanyl crisis among teens.
Key Facts:
- Amy Neville’s son, Alexander, died from fentanyl poisoning in 2020 after using Snapchat to purchase drugs.
- Neville, leading a lawsuit against Snapchat, is joined by 63 families suing the company for its role in fentanyl deaths.
- Snapchat’s disappearing messages and anonymity features make it easy for drug dealers to operate undetected.
- The lawsuit claims Snapchat is a public nuisance and defective product, enabling fentanyl sales to teens.
- Fentanyl overdose deaths, especially among young people, have surged, with more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2023.
The Rest of The Story:
In 2020, the Neville family was struck by tragedy when their son, Alex, unknowingly took fentanyl-laced pills from a dealer on Snapchat, the Epoch Times reported.
The Nevilles had no idea that Alex had been struggling with addiction to OxyContin, which he had obtained through the platform.
After Alex’s death, Neville became a vocal advocate, speaking to hundreds of thousands of people about the dangers of social media and the fentanyl epidemic.
Neville is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Snapchat, accusing the platform of facilitating illegal drug sales by allowing anonymous communications and disappearing messages.
Snapchat has denied the allegations, asserting it works with law enforcement to prevent illegal activities.
However, the company has been criticized for not doing enough to prevent the sale of fentanyl on its platform, even though it has implemented some safety measures, like hiding users’ locations by default.
In memory of their sons, parents Amy Neville and Kristin Bride called on lawmakers to hold Big Tech accountable and prevent a moratorium on AI state laws—demanding action to protect kids online and prevent future harm. pic.twitter.com/APfdBGYlNl
— Take Justice Back (@TakeJusticeBack) June 23, 2025
Commentary:
Snapchat, designed to be a fun platform for sharing temporary messages, has turned into a hotbed for illegal activities, making it perilously easy for predators to exploit vulnerable teens.
The platform’s ephemeral nature allows dealers to operate with minimal accountability, slipping past law enforcement’s radar.
The case against Snapchat highlights the severe dangers of social media platforms, which, despite their promises to protect users, are often the primary channels for selling illicit drugs, including fentanyl.
It’s absurd that a platform designed for communication is enabling the destruction of lives.
Teenagers, who are especially susceptible to online manipulation, are increasingly turning to these platforms not just for socializing but for obtaining dangerous substances.
Moreover, Snapchat’s so-called safeguards are insufficient.
The idea that teenagers can engage with strangers anonymously, share their locations, and communicate through disappearing messages is a recipe for disaster.
While Snapchat has made small adjustments, like hiding users’ locations by default, they are not enough to prevent the widespread trafficking of drugs that is occurring daily on the platform.
Parents must take a stronger stand on their children’s social media use.
They need to be aware of what their kids are doing online, especially with platforms like Snapchat.
While the app may seem harmless, its potential for harm is enormous.
Social media has become a tool for exploitation, not just for socializing, but for criminal enterprises that prey on the young and vulnerable.
As parents, guardians, and society, we must demand accountability from these companies.
Finally, it’s not just about fentanyl; it’s about the broader issue of addiction and mental health problems exacerbated by social media.
Platforms like Snapchat are built to keep users hooked, creating an addiction to technology that often leads to a deeper addiction to substances.
This situation has to change.
Social media companies must be held responsible for the harm they enable, and parents must take a more active role in protecting their children from these threats.
The Bottom Line:
The death of Amy Neville’s son, Alexander, highlights the dangers of social media platforms like Snapchat, where illegal drugs, including fentanyl, are sold to teens with devastating consequences.
Despite claims of efforts to improve safety, Snapchat’s features still allow drug dealers to exploit users with minimal consequences.
The ongoing lawsuit against Snapchat could set a crucial legal precedent for holding social media platforms accountable for facilitating illegal activity.
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