– Updated on February 27, 2025
If you suffered mental health issues after using social media for several hours a day as a child, adolescent, or teenager, you may be eligible to file a social media addiction lawsuit. Recent congressional testimony, social media company documents, and academic studies indicate that certain social media platforms knew their services could cause youth mental health issues. Still, they did not take action to prevent harm to their users.
In response to this information, many people who suffer mental health issues due to social media use are suing Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Learn whether you qualify for the social media addiction lawsuit and how to proceed with your claim.
What Criteria Do I Have to Meet for the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit?
Lawsuits allege that Meta Platforms, Inc., Snap Inc., and ByteDance targeted children as a core market and designed their apps to attract and addict youth. Plaintiffs further state that the companies were aware of the risks their apps posed to young people’s mental health and failed to make changes to avoid causing harm.
By failing to address known issues with social media use and mental health issues, social media companies may be held accountable for damages that occurred as a result. Such damages may include medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and more.
There are several ongoing lawsuits for social media addiction. In 2023, social media addiction lawsuits were consolidated into one lawsuit under multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3047) in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California.
You may be eligible to file a social media lawsuit or join the existing MDL if:
- You used Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Snapchat for several hours a day as a child, adolescent, or teenager, AND
- You suffered from self-harm, suicidal ideation, body dysmorphia, or an eating disorder as a result of your social media use.
What Is Social Media Addiction?
Although standards for assessing social media addiction are not yet established, experts compare it to gambling addiction. Individuals addicted to social media may compulsively check their social media accounts, spend increasing time on social media platforms, and be unable to reduce or stop social media use. Those with social media addictions may experience adverse effects on their interpersonal relationships and work or study life.
Social media addiction lawsuits are based on the mental health issues suffered by individuals who used social media as a child, adolescent, or teenager. Serious and sometimes life-threatening mental health issues have been documented, including body dysmorphia, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. If you or a loved one suffered from these conditions due to social media exposure for several hours per day, you could be eligible to file a lawsuit against the social media company.
Studies Show Exposure to Social Media Affects Youth Mental Health
Social media is a relatively new phenomenon, but it has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. Children and adolescents often use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to connect with their peers. However, the content they are exposed to through these social media apps can create mental health issues.
Studies, such as a JAMA Psychiatry investigation, show a direct association between youth using social media platforms and mental health issues. Children and adolescents who spend over 3 hours per day on social media may be likely to suffer mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Another study by University of Michigan researchers indicated that teenagers spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on social media, which is a concerning trend.
The data is compelling enough that the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, recommending action to protect youth from the adverse health effects of social media.
The Surgeon General raised concerns about the amount of time young people spend on social media. According to the Pew Research Center, many teens visit social media sites several times a day, and others state that they are on social media platforms “almost constantly.”
If you or your child suffered from mental health issues after being exposed to social media as a teenager, you may qualify for a social media lawsuit. See what a social media attorney can do for you.
Documented Health Issues Associated With Social Media Addiction
Brain development is still ongoing in adolescents aged 10-19. They are more sensitive to social pressure, comparison, and opinions. Their greater emotional sensitivity to social media can lead to reduced life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. These conditions may cause young people to suffer serious mental health problems, including:
Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation, attempts to commit suicide, and completed suicides are a serious concern for young social media users. Young people who use social media are exposed to cyberbullying, online challenges, and social comparisons that can evoke suicidal thoughts.
Self-Harm
The American Psychological Association defines self-harm as non-suicidal physical injury. It may manifest as cutting, burning, bruising, and other activities intended to cause self-inflicted pain. Self-harm is linked to low self-worth, body objectification, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia, all of which can be exacerbated by prolonged exposure to social media.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can arise when a teenager exposed to social media becomes unhappy with their body image or when things feel out of their control. A study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders indicates a direct correlation between greater social media use and disordered eating.
Exposure to unrealistic body shapes and weights on photo-based social media can lead teenagers to engage in eating-disordered behaviors. Common eating disorders include bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa.
Body Dysmorphia
In a survey of adolescents by the Digital Wellness Lab, 46% of adolescents between 13 and 17 said social media has had a negative impact on their body image.
, or body dysmorphic disorder, occurs when a person views their body image negatively. Social media use has been linked to body dysmorphia symptoms, including discomfort, perfectionism, anxiety, and depression related to body image issues.
Developing any of these, along with the constant use of social media apps as a child, could qualify you for a social media lawsuit.
Contact a Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Attorney to Learn More
If you suffered mental health issues due to social media use as an adolescent, child, or teenager, you could have grounds to sue for compensation. During your free consultation, a member of The Goldwater Law Firm team can listen to your story and help you understand the legal process. Our law firm partners are well-versed in social media addiction cases and can give you the information you need to decide your next steps.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review and connect with a social media addiction lawyer. Our team wants to help you hold these social media companies accountable for the harmful effects their products have caused.
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