Social Media Addiction
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.Â
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.
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.Â
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.
Social Media Addiction Quick Facts
DEFENDANTS
SIDE EFFECTS
AVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA USE
Effects of Social Media Exposure on the Brain
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 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
- 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?
- 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
- 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
Awareness of the Companies to the Effects of Social Media on Young Users
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.
On October 6, 2022, the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated 80 pending lawsuits into single multidistrict litigation (MDL 3047) in the Northern District of Illinois or the Western District of Missouri.
How Maxwell Law Group Can Help
Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Infographics
You Deserve to be Compensated
We're On Your Side
Our attorneys are always ready to speak with you about your personal situation. Every day we help people in situations similar to yours. Our team can guide you each step of the way and make sure you get the financial compensation you deserve.
While our physical offices are in Utah and Washington DC, we offer our services nationwide. We'd be honored to discuss your case with you free of charge.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, don't wait to take action. Contact us today.
To speak with us directly, call (844) 525-7155. We want to hear about your situation and help you through this difficult time.
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Social Media and Mental Health