Lawsuits Filed for Social Media Addiction and Mental Health Issues in Teens and Young Adults

Social media giants like Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and other social media companies are facing lawsuits from young users and their family members.

These lawsuits allege that social media companies are liable for the psychological harm caused by excessive and addictive use of their social media channels.

The targets of the lawsuits are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, and other social media platforms for their alleged failure to implement sufficient safeguards to protect users’ mental health.

Mental Health Effects of Excessive Social Media Use

Excessive social media use has been associated with various mental health effects, each with potentially devastating consequences for young users.

Mental health effects linked to social media use include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Suicidal ideation
• Body image issues
• Eating disorders
• ADHD
• Social comparison

Depression

Heavy social media use can cause an increased risk of depression among teenagers and young adults.

Constant exposure to carefully curated highlight reels of others’ lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and social isolation.

The rise of social media has created a phenomenon known as “Facebook depression,” which happens when preteens to young adults excessively spend time on social media sites and begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression.

Anxiety

A Harvard University article reported several challenges of social media usage for young users, such as the fear of missing out (FOMO), feeling replaceable, and attachment to their devices.

This can lead to uncertainty and anxiety about their lives, in-person relationships, and online reputations.

Additionally, the pressure to post, gain likes and comments, and maintain a perfect online image contributes to anxiety among social media users.

The constant comparison with others’ seemingly flawless lives can fuel self-doubt and heighten anxiety levels.

Suicidal Thoughts and Ideation

Research has shown a concerning correlation between heavy social media use and an increased risk of suicidal ideation among adolescents.

Excessive exposure to cyberbullying and graphic images of self-harm on social media can lead to suicidal thoughts, especially in vulnerable teens and young adults.

Negative comments, body shaming, and hate speech can affect users’ mental health and cause serious psychological consequences.

Social media also contributes to the rising numbers of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among young users.

Body Dysmorphia

A study shows that social media can aggravate body image dissatisfaction and comorbidities of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), such as depression and eating disorders.

Exposure to unrealistic beauty standards and heavily edited images on social media can lead to body dysmorphia, a condition where individuals develop a distorted perception of their physical appearance.

This can cause users to become excessively preoccupied with their body image, constantly compare themselves to others, and engage in extreme behaviors like dieting or body modification.

Eating Disorders

Social media’s emphasis on appearance and body image can contribute to the development or exacerbation of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

Certain content on platforms can lead users, especially teenage girls and young women, to idealize thin bodies and engage in unhealthy dieting habits.

As reported in ABC News, preteens as young as nine years old may suffer from an eating disorder.

Additionally, social media influencers might promote dangerous and extreme diets that are not based on scientific evidence, which can encourage users to put their health at risk.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Excessive social media use can increase the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A study found that adolescents aged 15 to 16 frequently using social media can develop subsequent symptoms of ADHD.

Constantly checking updates and notifications can be highly distracting and interfere with focus, concentration, and productivity.

Social media’s constant stimulation can negatively affect users’ sleep patterns and disrupt their natural circadian rhythms.

Social Comparison

Research shows that higher problematic social media use (PSMU) scores are associated with negative social comparison, low self-esteem, and depression.

Constantly comparing oneself to others’ seemingly perfect lives on social media can lead to diminished self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.

The more time users spend looking at other people’s lives, the more they compare themselves, which can lead to a decline in self-worth and mental distress.

Potential Harm and Injuries From Social Media

Apart from the adverse mental health effects, excessive social media use can lead to other forms of harm and injuries, both emotional and physical.

These forms of harm from social media may include:

• Emotional and psychological harm
• Physical injuries
• Reputation damage and defamation
• Cyberbullying and online harassment

Emotional and Psychological Harm

The constant pressure to maintain a flawless online image and the fear of judgment from others can affect individuals’ emotional well-being.

Users may become obsessed with managing their online presence and portraying only the perfect version of themselves, leading to an unhealthy emotional state.

Constant social media exposure can lead to mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

Physical Injuries

Social media can also lead to physical injuries in users who spend too much time on their phones or laptops.

Prolonged phone use can cause neck pain, backache, eyestrain, wrist problems, and other physical ailments due to poor posture and repetitive motion injuries.

Reputation Damage and Defamation

Social media sites’ lack of moderation and anonymity can lead to malicious behavior.

False information or damaging content posted on social media platforms can harm an individual’s reputation and cause emotional damage.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Social media platforms can become breeding grounds for cyberbullying and online harassment, causing immense distress to victims.

Cyberbullying involves sending or posting hurtful comments, photos, or videos online to cause harm.

This can lead to an array of psychological and physical problems in victims.

Online harassment is another form of cyberbullying that includes unwanted messages, threats, and other types of digital abuse, such as online sexual abuse and harassment.

Demographics of Social Media Users

As of April 2023, there are 4.8 billion social media users worldwide — 60% of the total global population.

The average time spent on social media sites is 2 hours and 24 minutes daily.

Social media usage varies significantly across age groups.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2022, the following trends emerged:

• Teenagers (Aged 13 to 17): Teenagers are among the most active users of social media apps. 95% of teen users have access to a smartphone and use the internet daily.
• Young Adults (Aged 18 to 29): According to a Pew Research Center fact sheet, the young adult age group almost always has more social media users than other adult age groups.

The Role of Social Media Companies in Preventing Harm

Social media companies have a significant responsibility in shaping the online experiences of their users, especially when it comes to protecting their mental health and well-being.

Social media companies play a critical role in preventing harm and promoting a safe and positive online environment, and when they fail to do so, consequences for young users engaged with harmful content may be serious.

Social media companies are often expected to do the following in order to protect the mental health of users:

• Responsible Platform Design: Social media companies should prioritize reliable platform design that considers potential mental health impacts.
• Transparency and User Control: Social media platforms should be transparent about the data they collect, how they use it, and how users can control their privacy settings.
• Content Moderation: Social media companies must enforce community guidelines prohibiting harmful content, cyberbullying, hate speech, and graphic material.
• Anti-cyberbullying Initiatives: Social media sites should actively combat cyberbullying through proactive measures by implementing algorithms and filters to detect and remove offensive and dangerous content.
• Mental Health Resources and Support: Social media companies are encouraged to provide readily accessible mental health resources and support within the platform can significantly improve users’ well-being.
• Age-appropriate Content: Social media platforms must enforce age restrictions to prevent younger users from accessing inappropriate or harmful content.
• Targeted Interventions for Vulnerable Users: Social media companies should identify and support vulnerable groups that are more susceptible to online harassment, cyberbullying, abuse, and mental health issues.

Do You Qualify to File a Social Media Harm Lawsuit?

Individuals and family members of victims may be eligible to file a social media lawsuit against social media companies for various types of harm caused by the platform(s).

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Social Media Harm Lawsuit claim.

Our attorneys can help you complete the steps necessary to file a claim, including gathering evidence and assessing damages.

TorHoerman Law does NOT charge for legal representation unless compensation is won on your behalf.

This fee structure is called a contingency fee basis.

No win, no fee.

Gathering Evidence for Social Media Lawsuits

Evidence is extremely important in any lawsuit claim.

Your attorney can help you gather and retain evidence related to your claim, but you can also begin this process on your own.

Potential evidence in a Social Media Mental Health or Social Media Addiction Lawsuit may include:

• Medical records
• Diagnosis records
• Incident reports
• Prescription information
• Screen-time logs detailing time spent on social media platforms
• Witness testimony
• Personal testimony
• Any other evidence linking use of social media platforms to subsequent mental health effects

Assessing Damages in Social Media Lawsuits

Damages refer to the total amount of losses, economic and non-economic, incurred as a result of social media addiction and related mental and physical health effects.

Potential damages in a Social Media Lawsuit may include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the emotional and psychological distress experienced.
• Emotional Distress and Trauma: Reimbursement for the trauma caused by the social media addiction and its consequences.
• Medical Expenses: Coverage for medical treatment and therapy related to mental health issues.
• Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for the negative impact on the individual’s overall quality of life.
• Rehabilitation Treatment Costs: Coverage for rehabilitation and therapy costs to overcome addiction.
• Financial Losses: Compensation for any economic damages caused by social media addiction, such as lost opportunities or employment.

It is crucial to consult an experienced social media lawyer for guidance and advice in these cases.

This will help to ensure that victims get the best possible outcome from their legal claims.

TorHoerman Law: Your Lawyers for Social Media Lawsuits

Injuries from social media addiction can be severe and long-lasting.

If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to excessive and prolonged use of social media platforms, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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

At TorHoerman Law, our experienced social media lawyers will work with you to hold social media companies accountable, protect your legal rights, and seek justice.

Reach out to us for more information and to find out how our legal team can help you.