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Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit | Legal Action Investigated for Mental Health Effects on Users

Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit Overview

Instagram is facing an increasing number of lawsuits for its role in contributing to serious mental health issues among teens and young users.

As part of a broader wave of litigation, families and individuals are taking legal action against Meta Platforms for the psychological harm linked to Instagram use.

On this page, we will discuss the Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit, mental health effects of Instagram on young users, filing a lawsuit for Instagram mental health effects, potential injuries and much more.

What is the Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit?

Social media addiction lawsuits are putting major social media companies under legal scrutiny for the harm caused by their platforms.

Facebook and Instagram, two of the most widely used apps among teens and young adults, are accused of fueling a growing youth mental health crisis.

Lawsuits allege that these companies knowingly designed features to encourage addictive behavior while failing to warn users about the psychological or physical harm that could result.

As evidence mounts linking excessive platform use to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation, families, school districts, and individuals are demanding accountability.

These claims argue that social media giants ignored the mental health consequences of their platforms in pursuit of profit.

Plaintiffs say that consumer protection laws were violated when these companies prioritized engagement over safety, especially among vulnerable youth populations.

The litigation aims to hold Facebook, Instagram, and other major social media companies responsible for their role in shaping digital environments that exploit user psychology.

Through these cases, victims seek compensation for real and lasting mental health injuries linked to social media addiction.

At the heart of the lawsuits is a demand for social media giants to be held accountable for deceptive practices and design choices that prioritize user retention over well-being.

If your family has been affected, you may be eligible to join the effort to bring change and pursue justice.

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You may qualify for an Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems related to Instagram use.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit instantly.

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Mental Health Effects of Instagram on Young Users

Social media companies have grown to become massively influential in the past decade, and issues with how they operate and how users interact with their platforms are starting to become clearer.

Instagram is no exception.

Mental Health Effects of Instagram on Young Users

A University of Pennsylvania study suggests that social media use increases depression and loneliness, and data points showed a causal link between time spent on the platforms and decreased well-being.

The study found that participants who limited their social media use to 30 minutes per day experienced significant decreases in loneliness and depression, while those who continued to use social media for more than two hours per day saw no such improvements.

These findings suggest that Instagram and other social media platforms may have a negative impact on mental health, and that users should be aware of the dangers of excessive screen time.

Instagram’s Impact on Young Girls and Women: Social Comparison and Negative Mental Health Impacts

Researchers have found that the way people interact with Instagram can impact their mental health, especially for young girls and women.

While the amount of time spent on Instagram doesn’t necessarily correlate to negative effects, it’s been found that users who seek social validation through the app are more likely to experience mental health problems.

This is likely due to the unique experiences of young users on Instagram, who are often bombarded with images and messages that can be harmful to their self-esteem and body image.

As a result, it’s important for users to be aware of how the app is impacting their mental health and take steps to limit their exposure if necessary.

Social Comparison

Instagram users who engage in status-seeking content and social comparison suffer from mental health issues, depressive symptoms, and unhealthy self centeredness at much higher rates, putting them at further risks for suicide attempts, eating disorders, sleep problems, and a host of other mental health problems related to their Instagram usage.

Internal Facebook researchers have known for years that Instagram is harmful for young users, most notably teenage girls.

Internal research presentations are quoted saying “We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls”, and “Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression.”

An article published by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health expanded on how Instagram leads teens and young adults into a spiral of depression and anxiety.

Bryn Austin, a professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said that “From experimental research, we know that Instagram, with its algorithmically-driven feeds of content tailored to each user’s engagement patterns, can draw vulnerable teens into a dangerous spiral of negative social comparison and hook them onto unrealistic ideals of appearance and body size and shape.”

Instagram and its Glaring Issues with Sexual Exploitation

Despite its reputation as a relatively safe and family-friendly social media platform, Instagram has become a hotbed for sexual messages, harassment and exploitation of women and young girls.

In recent years, criminal proceedings have gone forward against men who have used Instagram to sexually exploit young girls, but according to Forbes, Instagram has a relatively hard time keeping sexually explicit content off of their platform.

This is due in part to the fact that Instagram allows users to share photos and videos without any review or approval process.

As a result, sexually explicit images and videos can be widely distributed before Instagram is even aware of their existence.

The platform’s reliance on algorithms to determine which content to promote can inadvertently lead to the spread of sexually explicit material.

In light of these problems, it is clear that Instagram needs to do more to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation.

Young People Use Instagram at High Rates

Instagram is incredibly popular among young people in America.

According to Pew Research Center’s 7 Facts About Americans and Instagram:

  • Around seven-in-ten Americans ages 18 to 29 (71%) say they ever use Instagram.
  • In a spring 2018 survey, roughly seven-in-ten U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 (72%) said they used the site.
  • Children ages 11 and younger also engage with Instagram, though in relatively small shares, according to a spring 2020 survey, despite Instagram’s age guidelines which usually restrict children younger than 13 from joining.
  • More than 40% of Instagram users are 22 years old or younger.

The image sharing app was mentioned overwhelmingly in the Facebook Files, an investigative series by the Wall Street Journal that published leaked documents and presentations from an internal source at Facebook.

The leaked presentations are linked below:

Findings from the leaked internal documents include the following:

  • 66% of teen girls on Instagram experience negative social comparison
  • 52% of teen girls who experienced negative social comparison on Instagram said it was caused by images related to beauty
  • 32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse
  • Harm on Instagram falls into three major categories: social comparison, social pressure, and negative interactions with other people
  • 82% of teens have felt at least one emotional issue in the past month, and one in five has thought about suicide or self-injury
  • The boundary between social media and in person relationships is often blurred, which can negatively impact self esteem and mental health in general.
  • Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms
  • Teenage users who struggle with mental health say that Instagram makes it worse and the positive aspects do not outweigh its negative impacts on self esteem and mental health

What is the Social Media Mental Health MDL?

There have been several class action lawsuits filed against major social media platforms in the past, but this case is very different.

The Social Media Addiction MDL consolidates claims from families across the country whose children have suffered from the harmful effects of social media platforms.

These lawsuits focus on the alleged role of platforms like Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and others, whose designs are claimed to foster addictive behaviors, leading to serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

MDL is a special legal procedure, distinct from class action lawsuits, used when multiple civil cases share common factual issues but involve different individual plaintiffs.

Unlike a class action, where one lawsuit represents a group with similar claims, MDL consolidates cases to streamline pretrial proceedings, allowing each case to remain independent while sharing discovery and avoiding conflicting rulings​

This means that individuals who file claims in the Social Media MDL have the opportunity to potentially secure individualized compensation that reflects the unique harm they’ve suffered due to excessive social media use.

The social media mental health lawsuit is an ongoing litigation.

For the most recent updates and developments in the Social Media Lawsuit, this page.

Filing a Lawsuit for Instagram Mental Health Effects: How Can Facebook Be Held Liable?

Our team of attorneys is currently investigating the viability of lawsuits against Instagram, Facebook (Meta) alleging harm.

Instagram has been proven to negatively impact adolescent health, contributing to low self esteem issues, social anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, sleep problems, and other lasting emotional scars.

Many of these harms stem from algorithm-driven social media feeds that promote constant comparison, unrealistic beauty standards, and compulsive engagement.

Teens and young adults who become addicted to social media often struggle to disconnect, with studies linking this behavior to worsening academic performance and declining interpersonal relationships.

As social media adolescent addiction becomes more widely recognized, families and individuals are stepping forward to file a social media lawsuit against Meta Platforms and other tech giants.

These lawsuits seek justice for the emotional and psychological toll inflicted by platforms that prioritized growth over user safety.

Potential Injuries In an Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit

Teens and young adults who have used Facebook or Instagram and subsequently suffered from mental health impacts may be eligible for a lawsuit.

Potential Injuries In An Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit

If you or a loved one have suffered from any of the following, contact us for a free consultation: 

  • Depression or depressive symptoms
  • Anxiety
  • Eating Disorders
  • Body Dysmorphia
  • ADHD
  • Self harm or suicidal ideation
  • Any other diagnosed mental illnesses

Potential Damages In an Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit

Damages in a personal injury lawsuit refer to any losses, economic or non-economic, incurred as a result of an incident.

In an Instagram Mental Health case, damages could include some of the following:

  • Medical treatment costs
  • Therapy costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional damage

Other potential damages are possible.

As the legal pressure on Instagram and Facebook (Meta) grows, more damages may become viable in claims for compensation.

TorHoerman Law: Social Media Mental Health Attorneys

TorHoerman Law is actively investigating and accepting new cases in the ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Instagram and other social media platforms.

We are representing individuals and families who believe their severe mental health issues (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts) were caused or worsened by Instagram use.

The lawsuits allege that social media companies knew their platforms could harm young users, yet continued to design features that prioritized engagement over safety.

Our goal is to help hold social media giants accountable for the harm caused by these addictive platforms, particularly when those harms stem from your child’s social media usage.

As the litigation against Meta Platforms progresses, we are prepared to help clients build strong, evidence-based claims that reflect the emotional and psychological toll of these practices.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to the effects of Instagram and other social media platforms, you may qualify to join this active legal action.

Contact us today for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify instantly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are potential injuries in an Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit?

    Teens and young adults who have used Facebook or Instagram and subsequently suffered from mental health impacts may be eligible for a lawsuit.

    If you or a loved one have suffered from any of the following injuries due to Instagram use, contact us for a free consultation: 

    • Depression or depressive symptoms
    • Anxiety
    • Eating Disorders
    • Body Dysmorphia
    • ADHD
    • Self harm or suicidal ideation
    • Any other diagnosed mental illnesses

    You may also use our chatbot below for an instant case evaluation!

  • What are the Potential Damages In An Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit?

    Damages in a personal injury lawsuit refer to any losses, economic or non-economic, incurred as a result of an incident.

    In an Instagram Mental Health case, damages could include some of the following:

    • Medical treatment costs
    • Therapy costs
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional damage

    Other potential damages are possible.

    As the legal pressure on Instagram and Facebook (Meta) grows, more damages may become viable in claims for compensation.

  • Can I still file a claim if my child used multiple social media platforms?

    Yes, you may still be eligible to file a claim even if your child used multiple social media platforms.

    Many of the lawsuits in the ongoing federal multidistrict litigation involve users who had active social media accounts across several platforms, not just Instagram.

    The federal judge overseeing the MDL has allowed cases to proceed against multiple defendants’ social media platforms, recognizing that the harms alleged often result from combined and overlapping use.

    If your child used a mix of platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, or YouTube) and suffered mental health consequences, your case may still be viable.

    You may have a claim if your child:

    • Used multiple social media accounts for extended periods (often 2+ hours daily)
    • Began showing signs of mental health issues during or after heavy social media use
    • Was exposed to harmful content across defendants’ social media platforms
    • Attempted to quit or reduce usage but showed signs of social media addiction
    • Suffered emotional, psychological, or physical harm believed to be linked to these platforms

    Each case is reviewed individually, and the involvement of multiple platforms does not disqualify you from seeking legal action.

    Contact TorHoerman Law to find out if your family qualifies to join this litigation.

  • Why are Instagram and other social networking sites facing mental health lawsuits?

    Instagram and other social media companies are facing lawsuits for allegedly designing platforms that exploit user psychology and contribute to serious mental health issues, particularly among teens and young adults.

    Plaintiffs argue that these companies prioritized profit and engagement while ignoring clear evidence of harm.

    As more children access social media at younger ages, claims have emerged that platforms failed to warn users and lacked adequate safeguards.

    These lawsuits allege that Meta and other social networking sites created addictive features and knowingly exposed users to harmful content.

    The litigation seeks to hold these companies accountable for long-term consequences linked to social media use.

    Allegations against Instagram and other social media companies include:

    • Designing features that promote addiction and compulsive use
    • Failing to warn users about mental health risks
    • Encouraging comparison, body image issues, and exposure to harmful content
    • Allowing young children to access social media with minimal protections
    • Ignoring internal research on the dangers of their platforms

  • What are the main concerns in Instagram lawsuits related to mental health?

    Instagram lawsuits focus on the platform’s role in promoting addictive behaviors and its negative impact on body satisfaction and body appreciation, especially among younger users.

    An in-depth investigation into Instagram’s effects has shown that certain age groups, particularly teens, are more vulnerable to experiencing psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, due to the platform’s influence.

    Instagram, one of the preferred platforms for younger users, has been linked to increased issues with body image and mental health, leading to legal actions aimed at holding the platform accountable for these harms.

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Tor Hoerman

Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law

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Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.

Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.

Would you like our help?

Additional Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit resources on our website:
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You can learn more about the Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit by visiting any of our pages listed below:
Facebook Mental Health Lawsuit
FAQ: Do I Qualify for the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit?
FAQ: Who Are the Defendants in the Social Media Lawsuit?
Potential Damages in Social Media Lawsuits
Snapchat Lawsuit
Social Media Addiction Lawsuits
Social Media Anorexia Lawsuit
Social Media Body Dysmorphia Lawsuit
Social Media Bulimia Lawsuit
Social Media Depression Lawsuit
Social Media Eating Disorders Lawsuit
Social Media Exploitation Lawsuit
Social Media Harm Lawsuit Injuries
Social Media Harm Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit
Social Media Self Harm Lawsuit
Social Media Suicide Lawsuit
Social Media's Effects on Mental Health
TikTok Mental Health Lawsuit

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