Overview of Social Media Addiction Lawsuits

While online social networking sites and apps have provided a space for individuals to connect and share content, they also have the power to influence their users in ways that can be harmful.

As social media usage continues to increase, so do the instances of addiction and related mental health issues.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuits are being filed on behalf of affected individuals to hold social media companies and platforms accountable for contributing to their adverse mental health.

More and more social media users and family members of those who have suffered are taking action as they become aware of the litigation and more exposed to the addictive nature of social media apps and their impact on mental health.

Victims, especially parents of minors, are seeking legal remedies for the detrimental impact that social media addiction can have on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

Social media harm lawsuits not only seek compensation for damages suffered but also aim to hold social media companies responsible for their role in promoting addictive behaviors.

Senate Hearing on Social Media Platforms (January 2024)

In January 2024, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, and other social media companies testified in a Senate hearing on child exploitation occurring on their platforms.

During the hearing, emotional testimonies were heard from children and parents who have been negatively affected by social media, including parents who lost their children to suicide.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families in the hearing room, saying that the company will continue industry wide efforts to prevent suicides resulting from social media use.

Lawmakers confronted Zuckerberg on internal research documents obtained from Meta that suggests the company estimates the lifetime value of a teen user at $270.

This Senate hearing resulted from the efforts of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was intended to address and scrutinize the issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse material prevalent across these platforms, continuing the committee’s ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation through hearings, legislation, and oversight.

In response to the failure of social media companies to self-regulate effectively, resulting in endangerment to children, the Committee has advanced multiple bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing online safety for children, including the STOP CSAM Act, the EARN IT Act, and several others.

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

The pervasive use of social media has been linked to a variety of mental health challenges, including increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation among users.

Studies have shown that excessive time spent on social networking platforms can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and comparison, leading to decreased self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.

Constant exposure to curated lives and achievements of others can create unrealistic expectations, contributing to a cycle of negative self-perception and mental distress.

However, these positive feelings are often short-lived and can make social network users repeat the behavior for extended periods.

The addictive nature of these platforms encourages prolonged engagement, often at the cost of real-world interactions and activities that are crucial for mental well-being.

While all users are susceptible to problematic social media use, teens and young people are particularly at risk due to their developing brains, which make them more vulnerable to social media addiction.

Social media adolescent addiction is a growing concern as it can have long-term effects on the mental and physical health of young users.

Social media addiction can result in the following physical and mental health problems:

• Body dysmorphia and eating disorders
• Anxiety and depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Sleep distrubances
• ADHD

Body Dysmorphia and Eating Disorders

Social media, with its emphasis on perfect and unrealistic beauty standards, can exacerbate body dysmorphia in young people.

Constant exposure to edited and filtered images of seemingly perfect bodies and lifestyles can lead to disordered eating patterns and even more severe conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

According to a 2023 study, social media can make people conscious of their appearance, leading them to find and obsess over flaws.

Social media use and exposure to triggering content can lead to body image issues, even pushing individuals toward plastic surgery and other body modifications.

An obsession with obtaining the perfect body can also lead to dangerous and unhealthy practices.

Orthorexia nervosa, a relatively new eating disorder that co-occurs with anorexia, can develop when individuals become fixated on only consuming “healthy” foods to attain a perfect body.

Interestingly, this condition is widespread among Instagram users but not on other social media platforms.

It is important to note that this study was released in 2017, before the widespread use of TikTok.

More research is necessary to determine if TikTok users are also disproportionately disposed to orthorexia nervosa.

Anxiety and Depression

The constant need to be connected and up-to-date on social media can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.

The pressure to curate a perfect online persona, keeping up with the latest trends, fear of missing out (FOMO), and constantly comparing one’s life to others can lead to social media-induced anxiety and depression.

A 2017 study found that those with high social media use are at a higher risk of experiencing perceived social isolation (PSI).

Meanwhile, a 2021 study discovered that social media can contribute to social isolation, smartphone addiction, and “phubbing” or ignoring real-life relationships in favor of devices and social media.

All of these behaviors can lead to feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Individuals who passively use social media, without actively posting or engaging, are still vulnerable to experiencing anxiety and depression.

This silent scrolling through others’ lives can intensify feelings of isolation and inadequacy, as users consume content without participating, leading to a sense of disconnection from their social circles.

The bombardment of success stories, travel photos, and milestones shared by others can create an invisible pressure and exacerbate feelings of being left behind or not measuring up, even among those who rarely or never post themselves.

Suicidal Ideation

In the most extreme cases, excessive social media use and the resulting mental health issues can lead to suicidal ideation.

From cyberbullying to relentless comparison and FOMO, social media addiction can cause users to feel overwhelmed, inadequate, and hopeless.

According to a 2018 research study, adolescents with more time spent on social media had a higher risk of psychological distress, unmet mental health needs, and suicidal thoughts.

In particular, cyberbullying and social comparison on social media were significant risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation.

These issues can lead to self-harm and even suicide attempts in the most severe cases.

Sleep Disturbances

As social media addiction takes hold, individuals may find themselves spending more and more time on their devices, often late into the night.

Addictive social media use can lead to a cycle of sleep disturbances, as the blue light from screens can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

Constant stimulation from social media notifications and scrolling feeds can keep users awake and overstimulated, making it difficult to get restful sleep.

A 2017 study observed that technology use at bedtime significantly reduced sleep quantity and quality, which can lead to increased mass index (BMI).

A 2018 study discovered that sleep disruption poses an increased risk of developing mental health problems, including depression and bipolar disorder.

Aside from emotional harm, sleep deprivation can also lead to physical health issues like weakened immune systems and an increased risk of chronic diseases.

Social media addiction not only affects mental health but can also have a significant impact on overall well-being.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Research also suggests that social media addiction can lead to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, particularly in young users.

A 2018 study discovered that subsequent symptoms of ADHD can occur in adolescents who have high screen time and social media use.

Constant stimulation and instant gratification that social media provides can make it difficult for young users to focus and pay attention in other areas of their lives.

The endless scrolling, switching between apps, checking notifications, and dopamine-driven desire for continuous feedback from social media can result in a shorter attention span, difficulty focusing on tasks, and even memory problems.

These issues can lead to lower academic performance, impaired decision-making, poor social skills, and difficulties with time management.

It is essential to address and manage social media addiction in young users to prevent long-term consequences on their mental and cognitive development.

What is the Basis for Social Media Lawsuits?

With the rising concerns over social media’s impact on mental health, there have been calls for legal action against social media companies.

Affected families and advocates argue that these platforms have a legal duty to protect users’ well-being and should be held accountable for any harm their services cause.

Several social media giants are currently facing lawsuits regarding their role in fostering social media addiction and causing harm to users’ mental health.

These social media companies include:

• Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram
• ByteDance Ltd., the parent company of TikTok
• Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat
• Alphabet Inc. (formerly Google Inc.), the parent company of Google and YouTube

While legal bases differ in each case, common themes are prevalent across social media mental health lawsuits.

The allegations included in the master complaint of the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) No. 3047 include:

• Targeting Young Users: Many lawsuits argue that social media companies target young users to increase engagement and profits, disregarding potential harm to their mental health.
• Designing Addictive Features: Plaintiffs argue that social media companies intentionally develop addictive features, such as infinite scrolling and personalized algorithms, to keep users on their platforms for more extended periods. These features increase social media dependence and addiction, leading to severe mental health issues.
• Concealing Potential Harm: Many lawsuits accuse social media companies of downplaying or concealing the potential harm of excessive social media use, particularly on young users.
• Failure To Warn of Potential Harm: Some lawsuits claim that social media companies have failed to warn users of the potential harm caused by excessive social media use, resulting in inadequate control measures to protect users’ well-being.
• Potentially Harmful Features: Certain features on social media, such as lenses, filters, maps, and other location-based services, can potentially harm users’ mental health and put them in dangerous situations. Lawsuits argue that social media companies have not taken sufficient measures to protect users from these features.
• Inadequate Child Protection: Several lawsuits target social media companies for insufficient child protection measures, resulting in access to harmful and age-inappropriate content like child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). This lack of protection led to an increase in mental health issues among young users exposed to violent, sexual, or graphic content on social media.
• Ineffective Security Measures: Some lawsuits argue that the age verification and parental control measures implemented by social media companies are inadequate, resulting in minors being exposed to content or services that can harm their mental health.

These common themes show that social media companies have a legal responsibility to protect their users, particularly young individuals, from the potential harm caused by excessive social media use.

This realization has prompted calls for stricter regulations and accountability measures to address the growing issue of social media addiction and its impact on mental health.

Status of Current Litigation Efforts

The number of Social Media Addiction Lawsuits continues to rise.

The most significant legal effort against social media companies is the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) No. 3047.

This MDL consolidates lawsuits against Meta Platforms Inc., ByteDance Ltd., Snap Inc., and Alphabet Inc. (Google).

On November 14, 2023, Presiding Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the United States District Court Northern District of California granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motions to dismiss.

This ruling allowed some claims to proceed to the next phase of litigation.

The MDL is still ongoing and continues to gain traction with the growing awareness and evidence linking excessive social media use to mental health issues.

It is a significant legal effort that could pave the way for more stringent regulations and accountability measures to protect social media users’ well-being.

Aside from the MDL 3047, there are also several prominent cases against social media companies, such as:

• December 2020: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 48 attorneys general from U.S. states and territories filed separate antitrust lawsuits against Facebook for anticompetitive conduct related to social media dominance. These lawsuits emerged from Facebook’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, expanding its market power and limiting competition.
• October 2023: Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook) is facing a lawsuit from 33 attorneys general. This case alleges that the company designed and utilized addictive features to target young users, violating consumer protection laws.
• December 2023: Attorney General Raul Torrez of New Mexico filed a social media harm lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., Mark Zuckerberg, and their other wholly-owned subsidiaries. This case accuses the company of failing to protect minors from online solicitation, sexual abuse, and human trafficking on its platforms.

These cases show that various legal efforts seek to hold social media companies accountable for their actions and protect users from harm.

As litigation continues to unfold, it remains essential for individuals to be aware of their social media usage and its potential impact on their mental health.

Overall, these efforts highlight the need for meaningful change in the social media industry and the responsibility of companies to prioritize user well-being over profits.

The Role of Legal Representation in Social Media Lawsuits

Lawyers play a pivotal role in Social Media Addiction Lawsuits.

Attorneys are advocates for affected individuals and families, working to establish a connection between platform design and addictive behavior while navigating the complexities of the legal system.

Lawyers involved in Social Media Addiction Lawsuits work to demonstrate how the design of social media platforms contributes to addictive behavior.

This process involves presenting evidence, expert testimonies, and arguments that establish a causal link between platform features and the harm users suffered.

Central to these lawsuits is the duty of care social media companies owe to their users.

The MDL claims that these companies have a responsibility to design and maintain their platforms in a way that minimizes the risk of harm, particularly regarding addictive behavior and its impact on mental health.

Guidance for Affected Individuals and Families

For individuals and families grappling with the effects of social media addiction, seeking guidance is crucial.

Understanding the steps to seeking legal consultation is vital for those considering legal action against social media companies.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Seek out experienced legal professionals who specialize in social media addiction lawsuits.
• Document any evidence of harm, such as changes in behavior or mental health issues, that you believe are linked to social media usage.
• Keep track of any news and updates regarding ongoing litigation against social media companies. This information may provide insights into your case.
• Prioritize your well-being and seek support from mental health professionals. Taking care of yourself is essential, especially during legal proceedings that can be emotionally taxing.

As Social Media Addiction Lawsuits continue to evolve, affected individuals and families must have the necessary resources and guidance to navigate this complex litigation.

Consulting with attorneys can provide valuable insights, potential avenues for resolution, and, most importantly, a voice for those impacted by social media addiction.

TorHoerman Law: Social Media Lawyers

Social Media Addiction Lawsuits serve as a significant effort to hold social media companies accountable for their actions and protect users’ well-being.

By pursuing legal action, affected individuals and families contribute to a larger movement to compelling social media companies to reassess their platform designs and prioritize user protection over engagement metrics.

If you or your loved one has experienced harm from social media addiction, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.

At TorHoerman Law, we understand the complexities of Social Media Addiction Lawsuits and are dedicated to advocating for individuals and families impacted.

Contact us for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the social media addiction lawsuit instantly.