Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit 2024 | Filing Claims for Mental Health Effects from Social Media Use

On October 25, 2024, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that lawsuits brought by school districts across the country against major social media platforms can proceed, alleging that these platforms fostered addictive use patterns among students.

The defendants—Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snap—will face accusations that their design strategies and content algorithms led to compulsive behaviors, which school districts argue have caused significant disruption and harm within educational environments.

The lawsuits target alleged manipulation tactics embedded within these platforms, designed to retain young users’ attention, which school districts claim contributes to a mental health crisis among students.

Rogers ruled in favor of allowing claims against these companies for intentionally creating addictive platforms, emphasizing that this conduct has placed undue strain on educational systems.

However, certain claims were dismissed under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally protects internet companies from liability for content generated by users on their platforms.

While Rogers’ decision aligns with the arguments from the school districts, it contrasts with a Los Angeles Superior Court decision earlier this year that denied similar claims brought by districts in Los Angeles.

The current ruling allows over 150 lawsuits to proceed while dismissing claims from Los Angeles-based entities, thus narrowing the scope of the litigation.

In the Social Media MDL, there have been 26 new cases added to the litigation within the last month, resulting in 620 total case filings reported for the month of November.

Individual personal injury lawsuits are now part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California, with bellwether trials expected in 2026. 

If your child has suffered from social media addiction, mental health disorders, an eating disorder, or other health issues related to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit.

On October 17, 2024, a Massachusetts judge rejected a motion by Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the state Attorney General.

The lawsuit, initiated by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in October 2023, alleges that Meta designs Instagram in a way that fosters harmful social media addiction among children and teens.

The court found that the lawsuit focuses on Meta’s platform design and practices, not the content created by users, allowing the case to proceed.

This lawsuit is part of a larger trend of legal action against major social media companies, with more than 600 similar claims filed across the U.S. against internet giants like Meta, Google, YouTube, Snap, and TikTok.

Social Media Mental Health Lawsuits argue that the companies intentionally design their platforms to maximize user engagement and addiction, particularly among teens, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other psychological problems.

Meta sought to dismiss the Massachusetts lawsuit by claiming it wasn’t responsible for third-party content.

However, Suffolk County Superior Court Justice Peter B. Krupp ruled that the case centers on Meta’s own activities, specifically its design of Instagram and its internal knowledge of the harm it causes.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta was aware of the negative impact on young users but chose not to make changes that could have reduced the risks.

Individual personal injury lawsuits are now part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California, with bellwether trials expected in 2026. 

If your child has suffered from social media addiction, mental health disorders, an eating disorder, or other health issues related to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit.

Parents of teenage users who have tragically taken their own life as a result of mental health problems linked to social media usage may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

The growing litigation against social media companies for their impact on youth mental health has expanded significantly, with new lawsuits now being filed by Indigenous tribes and state officials across the United States.

A lawsuit spearheaded by several Native American tribes, including the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, accuses major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, and Snapchat of violating state laws and exploiting vulnerable youth through deceptive practices.

The tribes allege that these companies’ algorithms are designed to keep users engaged, increasing exposure to harmful content and negatively affecting youth mental health.

In North Dakota, four tribes—Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, and Standing Rock—have joined the consolidated proceedings.

The lawsuits highlight how Native youth, who already experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to their non-Native peers, are further impacted by the addictive nature of social media platforms.

Separate lawsuits against TikTok by various states have revealed internal documents indicating that the company knew of the harmful effects its platform could have on youth.

An investigation led by 14 state attorneys general found that TikTok’s own research confirmed the app’s addictive design and its potential to cause anxiety, sleep disruptions, and other negative outcomes among teens.

Despite these findings, TikTok implemented time-management tools that had minimal impact, focusing instead on public relations efforts rather than genuine safety measures.

If your child has suffered from social media addiction, mental health disorders, an eating disorder, or other health issues related to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit.

Parents of teenage users who have tragically taken their own life as a result of mental health problems linked to social media usage may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

Social media platforms are facing increasing legal challenges over their impact on children’s privacy and mental health, with lawsuits filed by several states targeting major companies like TikTok and Youtube.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued TikTok, accusing the platform of violating children’s privacy by sharing their personal information without parental consent.

The lawsuit seeks civil penalties under the state’s Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, calling for up to 10,000 per violation.

Similarly, Arkansas has sued YouTube and its parent company, Alphabet, accusing them of fueling a youth mental health crisis.

The lawsuit alleges that YouTube is deliberately addictive, amplifies harmful content, and has driven the state to spend millions on youth mental health services.

Meanwhile, a coalition of more than a dozen states, led by California and New York, has filed lawsuits against TikTok, claiming that the platform is designed to addict children and has harmed their mental health.

The lawsuits argue that TikTok promotes dangerous challenges and beauty filters, which negatively impact body image, especially for young girls, contributing to issues like eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

If your child has suffered from social media addiction, mental health disorders, an eating disorder, or other health issues related to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit.

Parents of teenage users who have tragically taken their own life as a result of mental health problems linked to social media usage may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

The Social Media Mental Health lawsuit addresses claims that major social media platforms contribute to declining mental health, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

Plaintiffs allege that companies like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive and have failed to warn users about the negative psychological impacts, including depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

In September, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) recorded 584 active Social Media Mental Health lawsuits.

By October, the number of cases pending in the MDL had risen to 594, a modest increase of 10 cases.

Key dates have been established leading up to the first trial in 2026. According to Case Management Order (CMO) 19, important deadlines include:

• May 16, 2025: Plaintiffs’ expert report is due.

• May 23, 2025: Bellwether trial pool identification.

• July 9, 2025: Defendants’ expert report is due.

• September 4, 2025: Daubert Motions.

Within the next year, there will be a clear picture of the litigation’s progress with the first trial expected as early as Quarter two of 2026.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The U.S. District Judge overseeing the social media addiction lawsuits, involving platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and others, has delayed the start of the first bellwether trials.

Originally set for October 2025, these bellwether trials are now expected to begin in 2026 due to a request for additional time to complete fact discovery.

Plaintiffs in nearly 600 lawsuits allege that social media platforms are intentionally designed to increase user engagement, causing addiction, mental health issues, and long-term psychological damage in teens.

The lawsuits, centralized in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California, accuse Meta, Alphabet, Google, YouTube, Snap, TikTok, and others of manipulating content and user experience to maximize engagement while ignoring the harmful effects on young users.

Claims suggest that this has contributed to widespread anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and self-destructive behaviors among teens.

Judge Rogers has instructed the parties to submit a list of cases eligible for the first bellwether trials by May 2025.

Following this, expert witness discovery and challenges to evidence admissibility will take place.

Although the outcomes of the bellwether trials will not directly affect other lawsuits, the jury’s decisions may influence potential settlement amounts for other social media addiction claims.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a report highlighting the serious privacy risks posed by popular social media platforms, particularly for children and teens.

The report found that these companies engage in “vast surveillance” by collecting and retaining personal data from users, with little control over how that information is used.

The FTC expressed concern over how these practices affect user privacy and mental health, especially for young people who are treated the same as adults on many platforms.

The report called for stronger federal privacy legislation and emphasized the need for companies to prioritize user protection, especially for children and teens.

The FTC also highlighted the importance of parents having more control over the data collected from their children.

With growing bipartisan support, legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and COPPA 2.0 are advancing to address these privacy concerns.

As social media usage continues to impact the mental health of younger generations, the FTC report underscores the urgent need for stricter privacy protections and corporate responsibility.

The state of New Mexico has filed a lawsuit against Snap, Inc., the company behind the social media platform Snapchat, accusing the company of enabling child exploitation, sexual abuse, and trafficking on its platform.

The lawsuit, filed in the First Judicial District Court of Santa Fe earlier this month, claims that Snapchat’s design and algorithms allow predators to target children for extortion and sexual abuse while misleading the public about the platform’s safety.

According to the lawsuit, Snapchat has become the most widely used platform for child exploitation, with features that allow predators to connect with minors, extort sexually explicit content, and distribute it among criminal networks, including the Dark Web.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez emphasized that the platform’s harmful design features endanger children by making it easy for predators to target and manipulate minors.

The lawsuit follows an undercover investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice, which found that Snapchat is frequently used for variuos schemes.

The state’s lawsuit alleges that Snap, Inc. prioritizes profits over the safety of children, accusing the company of deploying features that foster the exploitation of minors while failing to implement adequate protections or age verification.

This lawsuit comes on the heels of similar legal actions against social media giants, including a social media addiction lawsuit filed against Meta last year, where multiple states alleged that features designed by the company intentionally addict teens and expose them to harmful content.

The allegations against Snapchat mirror broader concerns about the mental health impact of social media on young users, with lawsuits claiming that addictive features lead to anxiety, depression, and self-destructive behavior in children.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

In a significant development, a U.S. appeals court has revived a lawsuit against TikTok, brought by the mother of a 10-year-old girl who died after participating in a viral “blackout challenge” on the platform.

The case, which centers around the tragic death of Nylah Anderson in 2021, challenges the legal protections typically afforded to social media companies under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Nylah’s mother, Tawainna Anderson, alleges that TikTok’s algorithm recommended the challenge to her daughter, directly contributing to her death.

While Section 230 generally shields internet companies from liability for content posted by users, the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that this protection does not extend to TikTok’s algorithmic recommendations.

The ruling, written by U.S. Circuit Judge Patty Shwartz, marks a departure from previous court decisions that have upheld Section 230 protections for social media platforms.

The court found that TikTok’s algorithm, which curates and recommends content to users, constitutes “first-party speech” by the company itself.

This means that TikTok’s choices in promoting specific content are not protected under Section 230, opening the door for legal action.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit, which addresses claims that excessive use of social media platforms has contributed to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, continues to see an increase in filings.

In August 2024, there were 557 active cases in the Social Media Mental Health lawsuit.

By September 2024, this number has risen to 584, reflecting a growing number of plaintiffs coming forward.

This increase in filings suggests heightened awareness of the potential negative impact of social media on mental health, particularly among younger users.

The rise in case numbers emphasizes the importance of seeking legal advice if you or a loved one has experienced significant mental health challenges due to social media use.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

A survey of 2,000 Gen Z Americans by Talker Research, commissioned by LG Electronics, provides insight into the relationship between social media use and mental health.

Key Findings from the Research include:

• • Mental Health Concerns: 75% of Gen Z users believe that social media is negatively affecting their mental health.
  • Negative Emotions: Nearly half (49%) experience stress and anxiety from social media use.

• Impactful Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are identified as the platforms having the most negative impact.

• Time Spent: Gen Z spends an average of 5.5 hours per day on social media.

• Content Issues: 62% wish they could reset their social media feeds, and 54% feel they lack control over what appears.

• Positive Aspects: Despite the negatives, 80% find positive emotions from content like comedy and animal videos.

• Future Optimism: 38% believe that social media platforms could improve their impact on mental health in the next five years.

Despite the negative impact, many users continue to engage with social media for entertainment and connection, even as they feel a loss of control over the content they see.

This ongoing struggle mirrors broader concerns in current Social Media Lawsuit, where the impact of platform algorithms on user wellbeing is increasingly under public scrutiny.

The belief that future improvements can mitigate these issues suggests a growing demand for more responsible and user-friendly social media environments.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing and many groups are suing social media giants. 

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has joined a growing legal battle against major social media companies, alleging their platforms contribute to a mental health crisis among Indigenous youth.

This lawsuit targets Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, Google, and YouTube, asserting that these companies knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive and harmful to young users

The Senate recently passed two landmark bills, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), aimed at enhancing online privacy and safety for children.

These bills require digital platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to children, including bullying and sexual exploitation, and expand privacy protections to include teenagers up to 16 years old.

The lawsuit filed by the tribe highlights the disproportionate mental health issues faced by Indigenous youth, exacerbated by social media usage.

Suicide rates among Native American youth have surged by 70% in the past decade, making suicide the second-leading cause of death for this group.

The lawsuit claims that social media platforms amplify these issues by promoting negative appearance comparisons and unrealistic beauty standards, particularly affecting female tribal teens.

Lawyers representing the Fond du Lac Band argue that social media companies failed to disclose the harmful nature of their platforms and used psychologically manipulative features to keep young users engaged.

The lawsuit seeks financial damages to fund mental health resources and programming tailored to Indigenous communities

A recent lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California by a minor from New York seeks class-action status against Meta.

This lawsuit alleges that Instagram’s features were intentionally designed to be addictive, causing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and lower academic performance.

The plaintiff is seeking $5 billion in damages and calls for Meta to implement stricter protections for minors.

Meta and Google have responded to the allegations by emphasizing their efforts to create safer online environments for young users, including implementing age verification technologies and parental control features.

However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient to mitigate the profound negative impacts on youth mental health.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

The Social Media Harm Lawsuit addresses claims against major social media companies for contributing to mental health issues among users.

Plaintiffs argue that the platforms’ algorithms and features exacerbate conditions like anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.

In July, there were 499 filings in the Social Media Mental Health lawsuit.

By August, this number has increased to 557 filings.

The rise in filings reflects growing recognition of the potential mental health impacts associated with social media use and more individuals seeking legal recourse.

Social media platforms are designed to maximize user engagement, often leading to excessive use.

This excessive use can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.

The addictive nature of social media and the exposure to negative content have prompted many affected individuals to file lawsuits against social media companies, highlighting the mental health risks involved.

If you or a loved one developed mental health effects, eating disorders, or other mental health issues subsequent to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a Social Media Harm Lawsuit and pursue financial compensation.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Lawsuits instantly.

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging these platforms contribute to rising mental health issues and suicide rates among Indigenous youth.

This lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, follows similar actions by 33 states.

The complaint highlights scientific evidence and warnings from officials linking social media use to mental health problems in youth.

Lawyers representing the tribe argue that social media companies designed their platforms to be addictive despite known risks.

Indigenous youth face higher mental health challenges and fewer resources, with suicide rates five times higher than those of white youth.

The lawsuit seeks funds to improve mental health services and education within tribal communities.

Google and Meta have denied the allegations, emphasizing their efforts to create safer online experiences for teens.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The lawsuit for teens and young adults who have suffered mentally from social media use and addiction is ongoing, and our lawyers are accepting new clients. 

A federal judge has dismissed a claim from a tech industry group’s lawsuit challenging Utah’s social media regulations.

The group, NetChoice, argued that Utah’s prohibitions on certain features for minors’ social media accounts were preempted by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

• Judge’s Ruling: U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby ruled that Section 230 does not preempt Utah’s law since it regulates the design features of social media platforms, not the content.
• Features Targeted: The law prohibits autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, and push notifications on minors’ accounts, aiming to mitigate the mental health impact on youth.
• Regulation Validity: The judge emphasized that Utah’s law targets the conduct of social media platforms, not the dissemination of third-party content.

Utah State lawmakers, including Rep. Jordan Teuscher, praised the decision as a significant victory in protecting minors from social media harms.

Additionally, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office has published three proposed rules detailing how a new law aimed at keeping children off social media platforms will be implemented.

This law, which takes effect on January 1, 2024, also aims to block minors from accessing online pornography.

The law seeks to prevent children under 16 from opening social media accounts.

Platforms must verify parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to use social media.

Reasonable verification methods include requesting parental contact details and confirming their identity through commercially reasonable means.

The proposed rules could lead to hearings before finalization. Similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges.

Florida’s approach may set a precedent for how states regulate minors’ use of social media and access to online content.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and lawsuits are being filed to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

Several Long Island school districts are suing social media giants TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat.

They allege that these platforms are “addictive and dangerous” and are contributing to mental health issues among young students.

This legal action follows U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s call for a warning label on social media platforms, highlighting their association with significant mental health harms for adolescents.

Eleven school districts claim that social media platforms have caused serious financial and resource disruptions by necessitating the hiring of on-site mental health professionals.

Nicholas Ciappetta, President of the South Huntington Board of Education, stated that disruptive posts on social media have significantly impacted the school environment.

William Shinoff, a California lawyer representing about 1,000 school districts nationwide, mentioned that over two dozen other districts in the Long Island area intend to file similar lawsuits.

In response, a Google spokesperson stated that the allegations against YouTube are “simply not true” and emphasized their efforts to provide safer, healthier experiences for young people.

A Snapchat representative acknowledged ongoing efforts to improve safety and support for adolescents on their platform.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

The Social Media mental health lawsuit is ongoing. 

The Social Media Mental Health lawsuit involves claims that excessive social media use has led to significant mental health issues, especially among teens and young adults.

In June, there were 475 Social Media Mental Health lawsuit filings.

By July, this number increased to 499, reflecting growing concerns about social media’s impact on mental health.

Excessive social media use can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders by fostering unrealistic comparisons, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviors.

A recent federal lawsuit against TikTok also highlights concerns about children’s privacy and psychological impact, contributing to the rise in filings.

The Social Media Mental Health lawsuit seeks to hold social media companies accountable.

Affected individuals should consult a Social Media Mental Health lawsuit lawyer.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly.

Social media companies like Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), and others have evaded responsibility for putting teen mental health at risk, and these lawsuits aim to compensate victims for their injuries and damages.

New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella announced a lawsuit against TikTok Inc., alleging violations of the state’s consumer protection act.

The lawsuit, filed in Merrimack Superior Court, claims that TikTok engages in unfair and deceptive practices by designing an addictive product and misleading consumers about its safety.

The lawsuit highlights that TikTok’s platform uses features that exploit young users’ ongoing brain development, resulting in excessive use and potential harm, such as depression and anxiety.

TikTok is also accused of violating children’s privacy by collecting and using their personal data without proper consent.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission settled a similar complaint against TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, for nearly $6 million.

Additionally, the European Commission is investigating TikTok for potential breaches of the Digital Services Act, which addresses risks to minors’ mental and physical health.

The New Hampshire lawsuit follows a similar complaint filed by AG Formella against Meta Platforms in October 2023, alleging manipulative design features and deceptive practices on Facebook and Instagram.

The lawsuit ties TikTok’s popularity to increasing mental health issues among New Hampshire teens, citing a significant rise in depression and suicide rates among high school students since TikTok’s launch in 2017.

The complaint claims TikTok’s addictive design alters the brain chemistry of young users and that the company has downplayed the risks while touting ineffective safety measures.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health problems potentially caused by social media usage, you may qualify for a claim.

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

Nearly 500 lawsuits have been filed against major social media companies, including Meta, Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, YouTube LLC, Snap Inc., TikTok Inc., and ByteDance Inc.

These lawsuits claim that social media platforms are intentionally designed to maximize user engagement, leading to addiction and severe mental health issues among teenagers.

Plaintiffs include parents, school districts, and state attorneys general who allege that the platforms have ignored the harmful effects on young users.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has been appointed to preside over the litigation, centralized in the Northern District of California.

The first bellwether trial for the Social Media Addiction MDL is scheduled to begin on October 25, 2025. 

The selection of bellwether cases is expected by February 6, 2025. 

Bellwether trials are critical as they provide a preview of how juries may respond to evidence and testimony, potentially influencing the resolution of other cases in the litigation.

35 states have joined the lawsuits, seeking accountability for the mental health costs incurred due to social media addiction.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health problems potentially caused by social media usage, you may qualify for a claim.

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

The lawsuit for teens and young adults who have suffered mentally from social media use and addiction is ongoing, and our lawyers are accepting new clients. 

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is urging Congress to mandate health warning labels on social media platforms to address the mental health crisis among youth.

Citing significant risks such as increased anxiety and depression associated with extended social media use, Murthy’s proposal aims to enhance user awareness and safety.

The proposed legislation would require companies like Meta, X/Twitter, TikTok, and Snap to implement digital warning labels that highlight the potential negative effects on mental health.

These labels are intended to inform users, particularly adolescents, who are most vulnerable to social media’s adverse impacts.

Murthy suggests that social media companies should also be compelled to disclose all health impact data publicly and allow access to independent scientists for unbiased analysis.

Drawing parallels to the longstanding health warnings on tobacco products, Murthy argues that similar measures for social media could lead to better-informed choices by users.

Murthy envisions that these warnings could appear as pop-up messages on websites, similar to cookie notifications, or as part of the app descriptions in digital stores.

However, the specifics of enforcement and compliance with these regulations remain under discussion.

The definition of which platforms would qualify as ‘social media’ under the new rules is also yet to be clarified.

This move comes amidst broader scrutiny of social media platforms, including regulatory hearings and discussions about a potential TikTok ban.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health problems potentially caused by social media usage, you may qualify for a claim.

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

The lawsuit for teens and young adults who have suffered mentally from social media use and addiction is ongoing, and our lawyers are accepting new clients. 

Apart from the current personal injury litigation focused on addiction and mental health problems caused by social media, more scrutiny and restrictions are being proposed to mitigate the impact of these platforms on teens.

On June 9, 2024, New York State Legislature passed two key bills aimed at regulating social media usage among minors.

Under the bill dubbed the SAFE (Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation) for Kids Act, social media users under 18 must obtain parental consent to view “addictive” feeds.

This measure seeks to curb the engagement of minors on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube, which have been identified as major contributors to the youth mental health crisis due to their reliance on addictive algorithms that prioritize user retention over well-being.

Proponents of the bills highlighted a Harvard University study which found that the six largest social media platforms earned $11 billion from advertisements targeting minors.

The legislation’s advocates referred to research that found associations between social media addiction and elevated levels of depression, and several psychiatric disorders, including, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

The second bill, the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibits online sites from collecting, selling, or sharing the personal data of minors without informed consent.

For children under 13, this consent must be directly obtained from a parent, violations of this law may result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident.

In Mississippi, a new law set to take effect on July 1st will require age verification on digital platforms.

This new law has been met with scrutiny and litigation from tech companies.

The law was passed unanimously by the state legislature and aims to protect children from sexually explicit content

The law has been criticized for its broad implications on content moderation and privacy concerns.

States like Utah, Arkansas, and Texas have seen similar regulatory efforts.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health problems potentially caused by social media usage, you may qualify for a claim.

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

June 4, 2024

The Social Media lawsuit is ongoing. 

On June 3rd, 2024, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the platform enables the sexual exploitation of children through its live-streaming features.

The lawsuit claims TikTok Live allows children to engage in illicit acts on camera in exchange for payments, with insufficient age verification measures.

Despite TikTok’s rule that users must be at least 18 to host live streams, the complaint states the platform has known about these issues since December 2023.

TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes defended the platform, stating it has strong policies to protect teens and revokes access to features if accounts do not meet age requirements.

This is the second lawsuit filed by Utah’s attorney general against TikTok for allegedly putting children at risk, with a previous lawsuit accusing the app of harming young users’ mental health.

The new lawsuit claims TikTok failed to address misuse of its live feature despite being aware of the issue.

This lawsuit adds to the growing legal pressure on TikTok, which is also facing a potential ban in the U.S. following a law signed by President Joe Biden.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health problems potentially caused by social media usage, particularly Instagram, you may qualify for a claim.

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

20 cases were added to the Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3047) this month, bringing the total amount of cases pending to 475, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).

The cases claim that TikTok and other social media platforms have designed algorithms that potentially exacerbate young users’ vulnerability to harmful content, contributing to mental health issues among users fostering addictive behaviors, and failing to protect users from harmful content.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health issues caused by social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim, contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation. 

States, school districts, and local municipalities are also taking legal action against major social media platforms.

In the past weeks, the following have taken action:

• The mayor of the city of New York filed a lawsuit against Meta for helping fuel the youth mental health crisis.
• The Muscogee County School District has joined the multidistrict litigation against the world’s major social media companies, alleging that their content was harming students ability to learn in the classroom.
• The state of Utah filed a lawsuit against Tik Tok alleging their platform sexually exploited young people.
• Nebraska has filed a lawsuit against TikTok claiming that the platform’s design targets minors with addictive features.

If you or someone you love has developed mental health disorders, suicidal thoughts or actions, or other health problems due to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. 

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Lawsuit instantly. 

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing.

Nebraska has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, claiming that the platform’s design targets minors with addictive features that contribute to the continuing youth mental health crisis.

According to Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, TikTok’s algorithms promote harmful content to children, including material that encourages eating disorders, substance abuse, and inappropriate sexual content.

The state claims TikTok misrepresents itself as “family-friendly” and safe for young users.

The complaint, filed in state court, details how fictitious accounts created by investigators for users aged 13, 15, and 17 were quickly directed to inappropriate content, violating the platform’s own Community Guidelines which prohibit content that risks the safety of young people.

Nebraska’s investigation highlights the discrepancy between TikTok’s advertised user safety measures and the actual content delivered to minors through the ‘For You’ feed, which automatically populates users’ feeds with potentially harmful videos without the need for active searching by the user.

This lawsuit adds to the legal challenges faced by TikTok, including a federal lawsuit challenging recent U.S. legislation that mandates TikTok sever ties with ByteDance, its China-based owner, within a year.

Over 30 states and the federal government have implemented bans on TikTok usage on state- or government-owned devices due to comparable concerns.

TikTok denies the claims made by Nebraska, asserting that it has implemented industry-leading measures to protect teenagers, such as age-restricted features, parental controls, and an automatic 60-minute daily limit for users under 18.

The company has expressed its commitment to continue enhancing these protections to address ongoing industry-wide concerns about youth safety and data security.

If you or someone you love has developed mental health disorders, suicidal thoughts or actions, or other health problems due to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. 

You can use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Lawsuit instantly.

The Social Media Addiction Lawsuit continues to develop in federal and California state courts.

The judge has scheduled a Case Management Conference (CMC) to establish the selection process for plaintiff representatives, marking a crucial step in the trial process.

By June 24th, 24 plaintiffs will be selected, with individual fact discovery due by December 6th.

The plaintiff pool will then be reduced to 10-12 for the expert discovery phase, aiming for expert decisions by the end of 2025.

Simultaneously, the implications of social media on student behavior are under scrutiny in a separate but related case, where California Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl is presiding over claims by school districts against major social media platforms, including Meta Platforms Inc., Snap Inc., TikTok Inc., and Google LLC.

The school districts argue that social media has caused disruption in education, requiring increased disciplinary measures and communication efforts.

Social media companies such as Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google face allegations that they designed their platforms to be addictive, causing depression and anxiety in children.

Some trends, propelled by social media algorithms, have led to significant property damage within schools.

During oral arguments, the distinction between direct content-related harm and broader algorithm-driven behavioral influence was central.

The schools assert that it does not invoke federal liability protections under Section 230, challenging the notion that external factors like social media should be exempt from school-related claims.

The broader discussion revolves around whether the design of these platforms is allegedly intended to foster addiction among youth.

This argument extends into the responsibility of social media companies to mitigate the adverse effects their platforms may have on young users’ mental health and even their education.

For those affected or seeking legal counsel regarding these issues, our law firm offers confidential consultations to explore potential claims related to social media addiction and its impact on education.

Contact us today, or use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

455 lawsuits are pending in the Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation according to the most recent JPML filings.

16 cases were sent to the MDL in the past month.

Social Media Mental Health Lawsuits claim that various platforms have contributed to mental health issues among users, particularly among teenagers and young adults, by fostering addictive behaviors and failing to protect users from harmful content.

Social media platforms are claimed to have known about the harmful aspects of their products but did not take adequate steps to mitigate them.

If you or someone you love has developed mental health disorders, suicidal thoughts or actions, or other health problems due to excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek compensation. 

Contact our law firm for a free, confidential consultation. 

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Lawsuit instantly. 

The Social Media Lawsuit is ongoing, and more individuals and families who have suffered from the negative effects of these platforms continue to take legal action. 

A 16-year-old from Arkansas tragically ended his life after a period of exposure to numerous TikTok videos promoting suicide and self-harm.

This case aligns with a staggering amount of cases consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), which claim that TikTok and other social media platforms have designed algorithms that potentially exacerbate young users’ vulnerability to harmful content.

The lawsuit filed by the family of the Arkansas teen who tragically took his own life specifically claims that TikTok’s algorithm targeted him with content that was not only inappropriate but also dangerous, ultimately contributing to his decision to commit suicide.

Lawyers for the teen’s family argue that the design of TikTok’s platform is inherently flawed, making it an “unreasonably dangerous product” particularly for young users.

They contend that the platform’s algorithm intensified the teen’s exposure to harmful content, directly influencing his actions.

Parents and lawyers have been advocating for a reevaluation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which has historically shielded platforms like TikTok from liability for user-posted content.

Hospitalizations and emergency room visits for suicide attempts and ideation rose nationally among children and teens from 2016 to 2021, a new study has found — the latest in a series of alarm bells about the state of young people’s mental health and the potential contribution of social media in exacerbating mental health issues.

By highlighting the potential dangers of unchecked content recommendations, the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit hopes to spur changes that will prevent future tragedies.

If you or a loved one have suffered from mental health issues caused by social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim. 

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation. 

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit instantly.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg won dismissal in several lawsuits that sought to hold him personally liable for the alleged addictive qualities of social media platforms under his ownership.

The dismissed claims were part of a broader legal challenge involving hundreds of lawsuits targeting Meta and other tech companies like Google, TikTok, and Snap.

Lawsuits against these companies are ongoing, and the removal of the Meta CEO from these cases does not by any means signal the end of this litigation. 

These cases argue that these companies have designed their platforms in ways that are particularly addictive to children.

District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of Oakland, California, ruled in favor of Zuckerberg, stating that the plaintiffs failed to prove that Zuckerberg had a personal duty to protect users.

The court emphasized that corporate law generally protects company executives from personal liability, especially in large corporations where decision-making is distributed among individuals.

The lawsuits had accused Zuckerberg of ignoring internal warnings about the safety of Facebook and Instagram for children and making public statements claiming the platforms were safe.

Despite these allegations, Zuckerberg’s legal team defended his statements as either generalized or protected under the First Amendment’s freedom of speech.

This news comes against the backdrop of increasing scrutiny over the impact of social media on children’s mental health.

In recent years, entities ranging from school districts to state governments have taken legal action against social media companies, blaming them for a mental health crisis among the youth.

Despite the Meta (formerly Facebook) CEO being removed from the lawsuit, cases involving addiction and other mental health problems suffered by young users are moving forward.

The lawsuits name major companies, such as Meta, Instagram, Snap, TikTok, and Google, and are currently consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Our law firm is accepting new clients for the Social Media Lawsuit. 

Reach out to us for a free consultation, or use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Lawsuit instantly.

The litigation concerning the impact of social media on mental health is gaining momentum.

According to the latest JPML filings, there are now 439 lawsuits pending in the Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuits claim that major social media companies have created platforms that can exacerbate mental health issues, particularly among young users.

The claims suggest that the design, algorithms, and policies of these platforms contribute to addiction, decreased self-esteem, anxiety, and depression among other mental health concerns.

This issue has drawn attention to the responsibility of social media companies to safeguard their users’ mental well-being and the potential need for more stringent regulations and oversight within the industry.

If you or someone you know has been adversely affected by the use of social media platforms, it may be worthwhile to seek the advice of a lawyer to understand your rights and options.

Call TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation. 

You can also use the chatbot on this page for a free and confidential case evaluation, and to find out if you qualify for the Social Media Lawsuit instantly.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

Lawsuits against social media companies are increasing in number and scope, and individuals are seeking justice against major platforms for a variety of reasons and issues.

Our law firm is currently accepting new clients for the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit, but companies are feeling pressure from multiple fronts.

A New York state judge has allowed a wrongful death lawsuit to proceed against social media platforms, including Meta, Alphabet, Reddit, and 4chan, linked to the radicalization of the gunman responsible for the 2022 Buffalo, New York, mass shooting.

The court denied the platforms’ motion to dismiss, acknowledging allegations that the platforms contributed to the shooter’s indoctrination with harmful ideologies through their engagement-driven algorithms.

The judge claimed that the media giants profit from the violent material displayed on their platforms to maximize user engagement.

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, over 30 public school districts have filed a separate lawsuit against social media platforms.

Hundreds of public schools across the U.S. have filed similar lawsuits against the social media companies, and now some of the biggest school districts in the state are joining in.

The lawsuit aims to bolster accountability and enhance the availability of essential resources for safeguarding children, addressing the deficiencies in protective measures, monitoring, and control mechanisms on social media platforms.

These legal actions emphasize the growing concern over social media’s impact on user mental health and in some instances, its rising role in societal violence.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

The Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit is ongoing. 

In the past month, eleven new cases were added to the Social Media Addiction MDL, from 399 reported on February 1st to 410 in March.

According to the most recent JPML filings, the Social Media Addiction MDL contains 410 pending cases.

On February 1st, 399 Social Media Lawsuits were consolidated in the MDL. The Social Media Addiction Lawsuits reflect the growing concern over the impact of social media platforms on teen mental health.

The lawsuit alleges that various social media platforms have contributed to mental health issues among users, especially in children and young adults.

Companies named in the Social Media Harm Lawsuit include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, among others.

The companies are being accused of negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and causing a public nuisance by operating platforms that allegedly manipulate users and exacerbate mental health issues.

If you or a loved one is facing mental health issues that you believe are linked to the use of social media, you may be eligible to participate in the Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit.

For more information and a free consultation contact TorHoerman Law.

You can also use the chatbot on this page for immediate assistance and to find out if you qualify for this lawsuit. 

On February 14th, the state of New York announced the filing of a lawsuit against five major social media platforms – TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Youtube – aiming to hold these companies accountable for exacerbating the youth mental health crisis.

The lawsuit has been filed alongside hundreds of school districts across the country.

It alleges that the tech giants’ intentional conduct and negligence played a significant role in creating the youth mental health crisis and demands tech giants adjust their behavior and compensate for the public health threat they have allegedly created.

The lawsuit followed last month’s Health Commissioner’s Advisory, which identified unrestricted access to social media as a public health hazard, similar to past decisions with tobacco and firearms.

The advisory recommended delaying social media use until a child reaches the age of 14 and supplies recommendations to parents, educators and other guiding figures on actions that can be taken to protect children.

Mayor Adams emphasized the harm social media platforms cause to children’s mental health, stating “Over the past decade, we have seen just how addictive and overwhelming the online world can be, exposing our children to a non-stop stream of harmful content and fueling our national youth mental health crisis,”

Corporation Counsel Hinds-Radix criticized the social media giants for prioritizing profit over children’s wellbeing, claiming that the companies design their platforms to manipulate children with harmful and addictive features in order to maximize profit.

Dr. Vasan, the commissioner for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), compared social media to an environmental toxin like lead or air pollution.

Lawsuits against social media giants are only just beginning.

If you or your child have suffered from mental health issues as a result of using these social media platforms, you may be eligible to take part in this lawsuit.

Contact our law firm for a free consultation and to check your eligibility instantly.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults.

The Senate Judiciary Committee recently conducted a hearing on “Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis,” where CEOs of major tech companies, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, faced intensive questioning regarding the potential harm of their products on teenagers.

During the hearing, Zuckerberg issued an apology, expressing remorse for the suffering experienced by families affected by these issues and committing to industry-wide efforts to prevent such harm.

The hearing, which featured executives such as Linda Yaccarino of X (formerly Twitter), Shou Zi Chew of TikTok, Evan Spiegel of Snap, and Jason Citron of Discord, concluded after four hours of scrutiny.

Senate Chair Dick Durbin called for bipartisan legislation to tackle the crisis of child sexual exploitation online.

The hearing included emotional testimonies from parents of children who tragically took their own lives due to online harms.

Discussions revolved around platform tools for child protection, Section 230 legal protections, and support for bills like the Kids Online Safety Act (Kosa) and the Stop CSAM Act.

Zuckerberg and Spiegel issued apologies directly to families affected by online harm during the hearing.

The Senate inquiry underscored concerns about the negative impact of social media on children’s mental health and the dissemination of child sexual abuse materials.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle advocated for a package of bills designed to enhance online safety for children, including the STOP CSAM Act.

Internal documents revealed that Zuckerberg had declined requests to expand the child safety team in 2021, prompting calls for more regulatory oversight of tech companies.

TikTok also faced scrutiny regarding its relationship with the Chinese government, which it denied.

Critics emphasized the need for congressional action to combat online child exploitation comprehensively.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults.

Lawyers are taking action against major social media companies like Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Discord, alleging harm to children due to addictive and harmful platform designs.

Legal strategies in the Social Media Harm Lawsuits focus on product liability laws rather than content moderation, aiming to prove that social media platforms are inherently harmful by design and promote addictive use through advanced algorithms.

Claims that social media platforms target young and vulnerable users are central to the lawsuit.

Recent laws have also sought to moderate social media use by children.

The recent shift in public and legislative sentiment towards regulating big tech is attributed to the gradual realization of the potential harms associated with social media.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults.

A trade group representing major tech companies like TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta has sued the state of Ohio over a pending law set to take effect on January 15th.

This law, part of a state budget bill, requires children to obtain parental consent to use social media apps.

The lawsuit argues that the law is unconstitutional, claiming it impedes free speech and is overly broad and vague.

Additionally, it mandates that social media companies provide parents with privacy guidelines and information on content moderation.

The trade group, NetChoice, asserts that families should have the freedom to make their own decisions regarding online services and privacy.

Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted, who advocated for the law, has criticized the lawsuit, accusing the tech companies of trying to expose children to harmful content and addictive platforms while being aware of the adverse effects on their mental health.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults.

A federal court has ruled that Meta, ByteDance, Alphabet, and Snap must face lawsuits accusing their social media platforms of having detrimental effects on children’s mental health.

The court rejected the social media giants’ motion to dismiss dozens of lawsuits that alleged their platforms were addictive to kids.

These lawsuits were filed by school districts across the United States, claiming physical and emotional harm to children.

The ruling states that the First Amendment and Section 230, which shields online platforms from being treated as publishers of third-party content, do not protect these companies from all liability in this case.

The judge noted that many of the claims made by the plaintiffs relate to alleged platform defects, such as insufficient parental controls, a lack of robust age verification systems, and a cumbersome account deletion process.

Addressing these defects, according to the judge, would not require changing how or what content the companies disseminate.

However, some other claimed defects, like the use of “addictive” algorithms and not placing limits on the amount of time spent on the platforms, were protected under Section 230.

The lead lawyers representing the plaintiffs hailed the court’s ruling as a significant victory for families harmed by the dangers of social media.

The ruling challenges the tech companies’ claims that Section 230 and the First Amendment grant them blanket immunity for the harm their platforms cause to users.

Google defended its actions, stating that the allegations in the complaints were not true and that it had implemented age-appropriate experiences for kids on YouTube.

Snap declined to comment, while Meta and ByteDance had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

This ruling has the potential to open the door for more safety claims against social media platforms, even without new laws, and may make it more challenging for these platforms to defend themselves legally against such claims.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults.

A federal court has ruled that Meta, ByteDance, Alphabet, and Snap must face a lawsuit accusing their social media platforms of having detrimental effects on children’s mental health.

The court rejected the social media giants’ motion to dismiss dozens of lawsuits that alleged their platforms were addictive to kids.

These lawsuits were filed by school districts across the United States, claiming physical and emotional harm to children.

The ruling states that the First Amendment and Section 230, which shields online platforms from being treated as publishers of third-party content, do not protect these companies from all liability in this case.

The judge noted that many of the claims made by the plaintiffs relate to alleged platform defects, such as insufficient parental controls, a lack of robust age verification systems, and a cumbersome account deletion process.

Addressing these defects, according to the judge, would not require changing how or what content the companies disseminate.

However, some other claimed defects, like the use of “addictive” algorithms and not placing limits on the amount of time spent on the platforms, were protected under Section 230.

The lead lawyers representing the plaintiffs hailed the court’s ruling as a significant victory for families harmed by the dangers of social media.

The ruling challenges the tech companies’ claims that Section 230 and the First Amendment grant them blanket immunity for the harm their platforms cause to users.

Google defended its actions, stating that the allegations in the complaints were not true and that it had implemented age-appropriate experiences for kids on YouTube.

Snap declined to comment, while Meta and ByteDance had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

This ruling has the potential to open the door for more safety claims against social media platforms, even without new laws, and may make it more challenging for these platforms to defend themselves legally against such claims.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults.

YouTube announced new restrictions on the recommendation of certain videos related to body image and social aggression to teenage users in the U.S., aiming to address concerns about their impact on mental health.

The platform, responding to a surge in lawsuits against social media companies, has limited the exposure of content that idealizes specific body features or showcases non-contact fights and intimidation to reduce potential harm if viewed repeatedly.

The change applies specifically to teen users in the U.S., with plans to expand to other countries gradually.

YouTube is working with experts and its Youth and Families Advisory Committee to assess the impact of online content on teen mental wellbeing.

The platform also emphasized its commitment to enforcing Community Guidelines, removing content that violates policies related to safety, hate speech, and harassment.

Additionally, YouTube is enhancing features like Take a Break and Bedtime reminders, introduced in 2018, and expanding crisis resource panels for users searching content related to self-harm or suicide.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults. 

A group of 42 attorney generals from various states are suing Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, claiming that these social media platforms are designed to be addictive and target children and teenagers.

This bipartisan effort, with support from attorneys general of different political backgrounds, represents a significant legal challenge to Meta’s business.

The lawsuits allege that Meta intentionally designed its platforms to keep young users engaged through algorithms, alerts, notifications, and infinite scrolling features.

They also accuse Meta of negatively affecting teens’ mental health by promoting social comparison and body image issues.

Furthermore, Meta is accused of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data on users under 13 without parental consent.

The states involved in these lawsuits seek to put an end to what they see as harmful practices by Meta, as well as penalties and restitution.

The attorneys general claim that Meta was aware of the detrimental effects of its design on young users, citing internal research documents that were leaked by a whistleblower.

The attorneys general argue that this legal action is part of a broader industry-wide investigation into the practices of social media companies, and it could lead to settlement talks or individual litigation against other companies with similar practices.

The lawsuits reflect the bipartisan interest in consumer protection issues related to online safety, and they align with the focus on protecting children’s safety and mental health online at the national level.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults. 

Companies including Meta Platforms Inc., Snap Inc., TikTok Inc., and Google LLC faced multiple lawsuits on the grounds that their social media platforms cause addiction and harm to children.

A Los Angeles county judge, Carolyn B. Kuhl, rejected the companies’ legal defenses, stating that they cannot use the First Amendment or the Communications Decency Act’s Section 230 to block allegations that their platforms were designed to addict young people, causing depression and anxiety.

The lawsuits introduced a novel legal theory treating social media platforms as defectively designed products to bypass Section 230 protections.

The judge clarified that the plaintiffs are holding the companies responsible for how they designed and operated their platforms, not for the content on them.

A similar case is ongoing in federal court in California, potentially serving as a precedent for these state-level cases.

The decision is seen as significant for the families represented in these cases, and a hearing in the federal multidistrict case is scheduled for October 27th.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

The tech companies are seeking dismissal of the cases, arguing that the alleged conduct causing harm is protected under Section 230, an internet liability shield that generally exempts internet companies from third-party content liability.

The school districts and families contend that the social media companies have created an addictive product, not just content, and thus shouldn’t enjoy Section 230 protections.

Tech companies are claiming that the alleged harm of this case will open the floodgates for more future litigations.

A similar case against Snap was allowed to proceed by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In May 2021, the court ruled in favor of the parents of two boys who died in a car crash while driving at a high speed.

The parents had filed a lawsuit against Snap alleging negligent product design.

The court allowed the lawsuit to proceed, indicating that Snap could be held liable for the alleged negligent design of the product.

The number of plaintiffs is expected to increase as more school districts consider joining the litigation.

Legal experts have raised questions about whether the school districts can successfully prove that social media apps are a public nuisance and directly harmed schools.

However, individual plaintiffs, including parents of teens suffering from severe mental health issues or suicide, have filed separate suits against the tech companies, seeking liability for defective product design and negligence.

The school districts’ lawsuits are seen as an attempt to bypass Section 230 protections and make social media companies pay for perceived harms caused by their platforms.

Our law firm is continuing its investigation and we are speaking to clients daily about their situations.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Schools and individuals are continuing to file lawsuits against major social media platforms for mental health effects on teens and young adults. 

Nearly 200 school districts are suing social media companies, including Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.

These lawsuits allege that the apps cause disciplinary problems and mental health issues in classrooms, diverting resources from education.

The school districts are claiming that teachers and administrators waste valuable time dealing with cyberbullying and other social media-related disciplinary problems.

They also argue that the addictive nature of these apps leads to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts in students.

There are also individual lawsuits against the tech companies, seeking to hold them liable for defective product design and negligence, with tragic cases involving severe anorexia and a teen’s suicide, among others.

Our law firm is currently accepting new clients for individual lawsuits against social media companies for mental health problems, eating disorders, and other related diagnoses. 

Amid the increasing scrutiny and lawsuits Meta is facing for Instagram and Facebook’s effects on teenagers’ mental health, Meta has announced new parental measures that aim to alleviate the issue.

Now, when a teen blocks someone on Instagram, they will receive a notice that encourages them to set up parental controls.

The teen can accept or decline the notice, and only if they accept the notice will the parental controls be activated.

These controls would allow parents to see who their child is following and being followed by, view their child’s screen time on the app, and set time limits for app usage.

While the parental controls do allow parents to see more into their child’s social media usage, it does not allow parents to view any messages the child is sending or content the child is consuming.

This has drawn criticism especially as Surgeon General Vivek Murthy increases his warnings of the dangers these apps can have on mental health.

Recently in a Senate hearing about youth mental health, the surgeon general said he would support legislation that forced social media sites to have warning messages pop up for its users every time they logged in.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

Additional school districts and cities have filed lawsuits against Facebook and Instagram (owned by Meta) and TikTok for their contributions to the ongoing mental health crisis in adolescents.

The suits mention a Centers for Disease Control statistic that says between 2007 to 2018, the suicide rate for people ages 10 to 24 years increased by nearly 60%.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a national advisory on May 23th stating that social media creates a “profound risk” to teen mental health, citing growing research and evidence that daily social media usage increases the risk of depression and anxiety among teens.

Murthy said the guidelines social media companies have created to combat mental health issues are inadequate.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) has filed a lawsuit against social media companies, including TikTok and Instagram, citing damages and a growing mental health crisis among students.

The lawsuit seeks accountability, tools, and resources to address the lack of protections and controls on social media platforms.

CMCSS has observed an increase in mental health issues, cyberbullying, threats of school violence, and inappropriate content linked to students’ use of social media.

The school district, with over 38,000 students, believes that without cooperation from social media companies, they have been facing challenges in protecting children and maintaining a safe learning environment.

This lawsuit is similar to other cases filed by school districts and public agencies across the country against social media companies.

Our lawyers are investigating legal action on behalf of individuals who have suffered from chronic social media use.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

The investigation into legal action against social media companies for mental health effects on users is ongoing.

The investigation into legal action against social media companies for mental health effects on users is ongoing.

Our Social Media Harm Lawyers are speaking to potential clients daily and strategizing next steps.

Several school districts and state agencies have filed lawsuits against Meta and Instagram recently.

These claims only speak to the depth of the issues at hand. Social media companies have made billions of dollars in profits while young users deal with mental health effects brought on by chronic usage.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.

The investigation into potential lawsuits for mental health effects from social media use is ongoing.

Several agencies, school districts and others have begun filing suit against Facebook (Meta) and other social media companies over the impacts they’ve had on young users.

If you or a loved one have experienced mental health effects due to social media use, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify.