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Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

Families of young people harmed by social media addiction may be able to hold platforms accountable.

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Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Overview

Teenagers and young adults who suffered mental health issues due to social media addiction may be eligible to pursue a claim and seek financial compensation.Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, and other social media platforms are facing a lawsuit claiming they designed and implemented algorithms that maximize screen time and promote addictive behavior among vulnerable users, specifically children, teenagers, and young adults. Contact Maxwell Law Group today if you or a loved one experienced mental health issues due to social media addiction. We can answer your questions and review your case for free.For help understanding your options if you've been affected by social media addiction, reach out to our firm or call (844) 525-7155.

Social Media Addiction Quick Facts

Defendants
Meta (Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat), Alphabet Inc. (Google and Youtube), and ByteDance Inc. (TikTok)
Side Effects
Anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, thoughts of self-harm
Average Social Media Use
From 5 to 8 hours a day for children and teenagers aged 8 to 18

What is Social Media Addiction?

Teenagers and young adults who suffered mental health issues due to social media addiction may be eligible to pursue a claim and seek financial compensation.Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, and other social media platforms are facing a lawsuit claiming they designed and implemented algorithms that maximize screen time and promote addictive behavior among vulnerable users, specifically children, teenagers, and young adults. Contact Maxwell Law Group today if you or a loved one experienced mental health issues due to social media addiction. We can answer your questions and review your case for free.

Effects of Social Media Exposure on the Brain

Studies on social media and its effects on the brain found that it affects dopamine, a neurotransmitter primarily responsible for feelings of reward and motivation. For example, receiving a few likes for a post on social media can elicit a negative response from the dopamine center. In contrast, a post with a satisfying amount of social approval through likes is received positively, with these responses connected to a person’s desire for validation. Every notification a person receives via social media is perceived as a social stimulus that can trigger dopamine influx and make them feel good. Impressionable individuals, especially children and teenagers, might equate their level of self-esteem with the online engagement they receive.Dopamine centers are also triggered when people talk about themselves. It is estimated that talking about oneself happens about 30-40% offline - this jumps to 80% in online activities. Dopamine is released when posting a picture on social media which makes the person feel validated and is perceived as a rewarding behavior, and the cycle continues.

Social Media and Mental Health

Research has shown a link between social media use, mental health decline, and low self-esteem. Frequent use of social media makes people feel isolated and unsatisfied with their lifestyle, especially because of material things and lavish lifestyles, often displayed in exaggerated amounts on these platforms.Social media is also known for being an outlet for cyberbullying and online aggression, which affects the mental health of both the aggressor and the victim. A survey of 6,000 teenagers revealed that about 50% experienced at least one kind of cyberbullying, with 44% stating it increased during the Covid-19 lockdown.In 2019, teachers reported that cyberbullying is their #1 safety concern in the classroom. A UNICEF report also showed that 1 in 5 students skipped school due to cyberbullying and violence. Another study in 2018 concluded that children and young adults under 25 years old are more than twice likely to self-harm and exhibit suicidal behavior.

Symptoms of Social Media Addiction

The Addiction Center lists the following questions when determining if someone is at risk of social media addiction. Answering yes to 3 or more of the questions indicates addiction:
  • Do they spend a lot of time thinking about social media or planning to use social media?
  • Do they feel urges to use social media more and more?
  • Do they use social media to forget about personal problems?
  • Do they often try to reduce the use of social media without success?
  • Do they become restless or troubled if unable to use social media?
  • Do they use social media so much that it has had a negative impact on their job or studies?

Other symptoms include the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Body dysmorphic disorder
  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Inability to focus and concentrate
  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Attempted suicide

The Addiction Center lists the following questions when determining if someone is at risk of social media addiction. Answering yes to 3 or more of the questions indicates addiction:

Other symptoms include the following:

The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Do not wait to reach out to our firm or call (844) 525-7155 to see if you have a case.

Awareness of the Companies to the Effects of Social Media on Young Users

In October 2021, a former Facebook employee turned over company documents to the Wall Street Journal detailing research, reports, and employee discussions which showed that they are aware of the adverse effects of social media on teenagers and young adults but did not take any action to prioritize their mental well-being. In some cases, they leaned in towards the platform’s addictive design to increase user activity.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuits

While a majority of social media addiction lawsuits have been filed against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claims have also been filed against Alphabet Inc., which operates Google and YouTube, ByteDance Inc., which owns TikTok, and Snap Inc., which owns Snapchat. The lawsuits allege that these companies used algorithms intentionally designed to maximize the use and engagement of their platforms. These companies ignored evidence of the adverse effects of their design on children, teenagers, and young adults and refused to take action to prevent addiction and mental and emotional distress when using their platforms.

Key milestones

  • 2022: Federal cases were consolidated into MDL 3047 in the Northern District of California, while California state cases were coordinated in Los Angeles Superior Court.
  • 2026: Snap and TikTok settled shortly before the first state bellwether trial.
  • March 2026: In that first trial, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for negligent design and failure to warn, awarding $6 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

How Maxwell Law Group Can Help

If you or your loved one suffered from addiction, other severe complications, or overdose due to prescription opioid drugs, Maxwell Law Group can help get you the compensation you deserve. Call (844) 525-7155 or fill out the form below and we’ll investigate your case at no charge to you.

You deserve to be compensated.

The law limits the time you have to pursue a claim. We offer our services nationwide and would be honored to discuss your case free of charge.

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