Social Media Addiction Lawsuit - May 2024 Update

Q: What is the eligibility criteria to file a social media addiction lawsuit?

The criteria to file a social media addiction lawsuit include proof of excessive use of social media (three hours or more each day) prior to the age of 21, along with proof of psychological or physical harm caused by the addiction.

Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a social media addiction lawsuit?

The statute of limitations is state- and case-specific, with several factors influencing the time you have to file a lawsuit. Working with an attorney early can help ensure your claim is filed timely.

Q: How does social media addiction affect mental health?

Social media addiction can negatively impact mental health by triggering the release of dopamine, promoting body image issues, self-doubt, and in some cases, self-harm and suicidal actions.

Q: What are signs that someone may be suffering from social media addiction?

Signs of social media addiction include excessive use of platforms (three hours or more each day), inability to stop despite a desire to do so, withdrawal symptoms, and negative impacts on relationships or performance at work/school.

The Social Media Addiction Lawsuit is an active lawsuit

Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Overview

Millions of people in the United States and across the world use social media. New research shows that a significant number of these users, including children, are addicted to the platforms. Social media addiction has led to serious mental health issues such as eating disorders, depression, suicidal behaviors, and self-harm.

Studies indicate that children and adolescents, particularly teens and young adults, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of social media addiction. A wave of lawsuits against social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat allege that the companies behind them knowingly designed their algorithms to addict young users, putting them at risk and prioritizing profit over user safety.

It is further alleged that despite knowing of these issues, the companies have worked to increase the addictiveness of their platforms without adequately warning consumers of the risk of harm. Individuals who have suffered from social media addiction are strongly encouraged to contact King Law to schedule a free consultation to determine whether they can take legal action against the companies that caused them harm.

Social Media Lawsuit Updates – May 2024

May 14, 2024: Study Highlights Medical Concerns in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

An important study by Alfonso Pellegrino, available in the National Library of Medicine, highlights several important medical issues at play in the social media addiction lawsuit. The study reviews global research from 2013 to 2022, focusing on Facebook and Instagram and identifying various risks associated with habitual use. The study indicates a need for social media regulation, education, and parent involvement. The social media addiction lawsuit alleges that platforms are designed to keep children engaged as long as possible and that they can lead to harm, including depression, self-harm, and eating disorders, among other injuries.

May 12, 2024: New York City Joins Social Media Addiction Lawsuit with Detailed Complaint

New York City has joined the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit. Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix filed a 305-page complaint into the federal lawsuit located in the Northern District of California. The complaint is similar to previous complaints in that it alleges that social media giants Facebook, Meta, Snap, and TikTok have designed products to prey on the developing brains of children. The complaint goes into great detail about the mental health crisis faced by teens in New York City. This complaint seems to set the stage for more municipalities to participate in the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit. The cities are saying that the products designed by social media companies are leading to huge expenses for mental health costs for the cities, and the lawsuits seek to recover those costs.

May 8, 2024: Intense Legal Battle Continues in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

An important motion was heard today in the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit. Several states’ Attorneys General have filed claims against social media companies for the products that they have created targeting children. The defendant Meta is represented by Covington and Burling LLP. The defense has submitted over four hundred pages of argument about why the requests for information should be limited. The oral arguments continued today for nearly three hours. This is a relatively simple dispute, and the length that Meta is going to shows the intensity of their litigation strategy and what it takes to go against one of the richest companies in the world. Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang presided and will issue a written decision.

May 7, 2024: Selection of Plaintiffs for Bellwether Trials in Social Media Lawsuit Approaching

Test trials will be picked in the Social Media Lawsuit shortly. Judge Kuhl anticipates selecting 24 plaintiffs for bellwether discovery on June 17, 2024. Plaintiffs for bellwether trials or test trials are supposed to represent the entire group of plaintiffs. If an individual that is selected on June 17, 2024, is deemed by the judge to be unrepresentative of the plaintiffs in the social media lawsuit, they will be replaced by June 27, 2024. The Judge seems to want discovery of bellwether facts completed by December 6, 2024. That seems like a very aggressive timeline, especially given the other discovery conflicts in this case.

May 6, 2024: Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Progresses Amid Discovery Disputes

The Social Media Addiction Lawsuit is continuing with discovery following the defendants’ failed motion to dismiss. Discovery is the process by which parties exchange information in a lawsuit. There seems to be a lot of fighting between the parties about what should be produced in this case. In the joint letter filed on May 1, 2024, the lawyer for the plaintiff and the lawyer for TikTok and ByteDance stated they cannot agree on the timeframe that plaintiffs would be entitled to. The defendant says that plaintiffs can get information back to 2017, when TikTok was launched in the US. The plaintiffs say that they should be able to get information back to 2012, when ByteDance began developing the core technology that drives TikTok.

April 28, 2024: Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Progresses as Motion to Dismiss Is Denied

The plaintiffs have survived a motion to dismiss in the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit. Lawyers and legal scholars are watching this case closely because it is not a traditional Multidistrict Litigation. The social media companies, including Meta, Snap, and TikTok, asserted several legal defenses, including a Section 230 defense. A Section 230 defense is based on a federal law, 47 USC 230, which states that internet providers are not liable for the content that others post there. The plaintiffs argued that these social media platforms are complex products and the law can be overcome. They further stated that a motion to dismiss at this stage would be unfair because they have not yet seen the internal documents from the social media companies, which they will be entitled to see if the lawsuit continues.

April 20, 2024: Family Files Lawsuit Against TikTok’s “For You” Algorithm Over Tragic Loss

The family of a 16-year-old boy who took his own life has filed a lawsuit alleging that the “For You” algorithm on TikTok suggested videos that promoted suicide and self-harm. The family joins eight others who have lost children in similar ways. The lawsuits allege that the platforms are “dangerous and defective because they are addictive for young people.”

March 2024: Connecticut Teen Files Lawsuit Citing Social Media as Cause of Eating Disorder

A Connecticut teen who alleges she suffered an eating disorder as a result of social media files a lawsuit, joining the now almost 400 cases against the companies.

February 2024: Widespread Legal Action Against Social Media Companies as Trials Approach

In addition to the hundreds of lawsuits and now 42 states and the District of Columbia, that have filed lawsuits against social media companies like Meta, over 140 school districts have joined the fight. Trials are expected to begin for the MDL in 2025.

January 2024: Mark Zuckerberg Apologizes at Judiciary Committee Hearing on Child Safety

Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to families with children who have been abused through his platform in a contentious Judiciary Committee hearing on child safety.

November 2023: Federal Judge Allows Social Media Addiction Lawsuits to Proceed

A federal judge rejected an argument by social media companies that they were immune from being sued. The decision allows the hundreds of social media addiction lawsuits filed on behalf of children and teens to move forward.

October 2023: 41 States and D.C. File Lawsuit Against Meta Over Youth Engagement Practices

41 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, and Messenger, alleging that the platforms were designed to entice youth and teens to use them compulsively.

October 2022: Adolescent Social Media Addiction Lawsuits Consolidated into MDL in California

Lawsuits alleging that social media platforms are designed to maximize screen time and encourage addictive behavior in adolescents are consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California (In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3047).

Social media is believed to create a dopamine-inducing environment similar to those triggered by gambling and drugs, causing addiction. Signs of social media addiction may include if it dominates your thoughts and daily life, it has had a negative impact on your performance at work or school, you experience withdrawal or distress when you do not have access to it, and you are unable to stop or limit your use.

As explained by Jefferson Health, studies have shown that social media can trigger the release of dopamine, stimulating the brain’s reward centers. Activities on social media, such as receiving likes or comments, drive dopamine surges, resulting in the desire to continue using the platform.

Lawsuits filed against social media platforms allege that the companies knew of the addictive qualities of their products and failed to adequately warn consumers about the dangers. It is believed that the manifestation of social media addiction is both psychological and physical. It can alter brain chemistry and patterns of behavior.

Social media platforms provide immediate, rewarding feedback for minimal effort, which then encourages continuous engagement. Because social media is frequently centered around talking about oneself, the reward centers are even more active, continuing to drive the use of the platform to achieve a positive experience.

Addicting Social Media Design Features

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat often employ design features that feed their addictive qualities, including endless scrolling, personalized content recommendations and reels, instant feedback (likes and comments), push notifications, read-receipts, auto-play, and ephemeral content. It is argued that these features exploit a person’s vulnerabilities and desires, encouraging prolonged usage.

Addictive features employed by social media platforms:

Infinite Scroll/Autoplay: Users can endlessly scroll or view auto-playing videos. These features keep adding content without a cut-off point, making it hard to stop interacting. For teens, in particular, this may play into their impulsivity, making it even more challenging to stop use of the platform.
Personalization Algorithms: The content is tailored based on an individual user’s interactions and preferences, creating a feedback loop that presents continuously engaging material.
Ephemeral Content: Features like content that disappears after 24 hours (e.g., Snapchat Stories) induce FOMO (fear of missing out), prompting urgent consumption.
Reels: Platforms use algorithms to deliver a nonstop stream of short-form videos lasting 15 to 90 seconds, which capture and retain attention, especially effective for shorter attention spans.
Push notifications: Notifications act as triggers that prompt an immediate user response, which is then reinforced by social rewards like likes and comments.

Recently filed lawsuits allege that excessive social media use by teens may put them at an increased risk for severe mental health issues, including depression and ADHD. Studies show that addiction may lead to reduced life satisfaction and may exacerbate underlying conditions common in adolescents.

Social media addiction in teens may lead to:

Increased depression and reduced life satisfaction.
The exacerbation of conditions like ADHD, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, and depression.
The nervous system being pushed into fight-or-flight mode.
The triggering of dopamine-driven highs.
An inability to reduce usage
Lying about social media usage.
Persistent thoughts about social media when not online.
Symptoms of withdrawal.
A delay in the development of healthy social skills.
The preference for virtual interactions over real-life connections and relationships.
The inability or delayed ability to develop their true identity.

It is crucial for parents to monitor for signs of excessive social media use and potential mental health issues, being aware of how much time their children spend online and their overall behavior concerning social media.

Statistics of Social Media Addiction

Social media use is prevalent among people of all ages. It is estimated that up to 10% of Americans are addicted to social media, meaning that approximately 33 million people suffer from the condition.

Pew Research Center Statistics on teen social media usage:

95% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 use YouTube.
Nearly 1 in 5 teens say that they use YouTube “almost constantly.”
67% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 use TikTok.
Over half (54%) of teens said it would be hard to give up social media.
62% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 use Instagram.
One 1/3 of teens believe that they use social media too much.
59% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 use Snapchat.
The number of teens who report using Facebook has declined significantly since 2015, from 71% to 32%.
97% of teens use the internet on a daily basis.
95% of teens have access to a smartphone, up from 73% in 2014/2015.

While specific recovery statistics are lacking, behavioral therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Group Therapy, has been identified as the most effective treatment for social media addiction.

Most researchers believe that social media addiction is caused by the release of dopamine when certain activities occur on the platform. For instance, a like or comment may trigger the brain’s reward system, which then strengthens the desire to repeat the activity.

It is well-documented that social media platforms use design elements and algorithms that increase user engagement for greater advertising revenue. Additionally, social media utilizes the Fogg Behavioral Model is utilized by these platforms, which incorporates motivation (such as FOMO), action (interaction with content), and triggers (notifications).

Teens that may be at a higher risk for social media addiction:

Females.
Teens with low self-esteem, depression, impulsivity, poor body image, or other mental health issues.
Adolescents with certain personality traits, such as extraversion or introversion.
Individuals who struggle with impulsivity.
Teens with a desire for social influence or who are looking to reaffirm their identity.

Part of the addictive cycle and consequences of social media is that it may be used to relieve negative emotions. Unfortunately, social media can also lead to increased feelings of FOMO and inadequacy while causing further mood deterioration. A teen’s reliance on social media to relieve these feelings may drive more use, exacerbating these emotions.

The effects of social media addiction can be devastating, particularly to children and adolescents. Documented health concerns related to excessive use include feelings of isolation, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, disrupted sleep, poor academic performance, and suicide.

Signs of social media addiction:

Excessive time spent on social platforms, often at the expense of personal relationships and responsibilities at work or school.
Changes in mood or behavior, such as skipping social events, neglecting hobbies, and reduced physical activity. This may also be evidenced through secretive behavior, such as creating fake accounts or hiding social media use.
A noticeable decline in academic or work performance due to the distraction of social media.
Identifiable anxiety or emotional withdrawal when the phone or social media is inaccessible.
Compulsive checking of social media accounts.

Social media addiction can also have severe mental health effects, including an increased risk of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and self-harm among teenagers. It may also lead to dangerous behaviors, such as participation in harmful challenges, insomnia, and the potential for sexual exploitation.

An overreliance on social media may cause teens and adolescents to struggle to form or maintain real-life relationships. This reliance on social media may also lead to cyberbullying and constant social comparisons that can exacerbate mental health issues. These mental health issues may become severe, leading to an eating disorder or suicidal thoughts.

While users often cite TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook as the most addictive apps, almost all social media platforms may cause psychological or physical harm, particularly to children and adolescents.

According to the Pew Research Center, the daily usage statistics of social media in the U.S. are:

Facebook: 70% of adults in the U.S. use it daily. The platform is used more frequently by women (77%) compared to men (61%). The largest user base for Facebook is between the ages of 18 to 64 years old.
Snapchat: 59% of adults in the U.S. use it daily. The platform is used slightly more by females with the majority of its user base between the ages of 18 and 29 years old.
Instagram: 59% of adults in the U.S. use it daily. The platform is used by women more than men and by individuals between the ages of 18 to 29 years old.
Twitter: 46% of adults in the U.S. use it daily. While the user base is generally between 18 to 29 years old, it is split evenly by gender.
YouTube: 54% of adults in the U.S. use it daily. Over 80% of the U.S. uses the platform with the main user base between the ages of 18 to 49 years old.

Other platforms, such as Pinterest, Reddit, and LinkedIn, are frequently used by adults but not as prevalent among adolescents. TikTok, on the other hand, is used by 21% of people, with the largest user group between the ages of 18 to 29 years old.

The defendants in social media addiction lawsuits are almost exclusively social media companies or parent companies of the platforms themselves.

Defendants in social media addiction lawsuit cases may include:

Meta Platforms: The parent company of Facebook and Instagram. 70% or more of cases have been filed against this company.
ByteDance: The parent company of TikTok.
Snap Inc.: The parent company of Snapchat.
Alphabet Inc.: The parent company of Google and YouTube.

Last year, over 80 cases against social media companies were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation. The notable majority of these cases targeted Meta’s Facebook and Instagram for adolescent addiction issues.

To file a lawsuit based on social media addiction, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These criteria include that you used social media extensively, proof that the addiction began prior to you turning 21, and that you suffered actual harm from the addiction.

Eligibility criteria for a social media addiction lawsuit may include:

Use of social media for three or more hours daily
Proof of extensive social media use prior to turning 24
Diagnosed psychological or physical conditions, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorder, suicidal behaviors, or loss of life
Proof of treatment for injuries related to social media use

Conditions that may qualify for a lawsuit include mental health disorders, proof of excessive (beyond normal) social media use, and a diagnosable injury. Injuries that have been documented in similar lawsuits include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, suicide, and self-harm.

Evidence to Collect to File the Lawsuit

Social media addiction lawsuits generally require substantial evidence to help prove the claim. An attorney can help determine the evidence that may be necessary in your case.

Evidence that may help substantiate your claim:

Documentation of extensive daily social media use
Phone logs
Proof of engagement on social media
Medical records showing psychological or physical harm caused by social media use
Proof of treatment for a condition related to social media addiction

There are several steps that you should take to file a social media addiction lawsuit. The most important one is working with an experienced attorney who can help verify your eligibility, collect necessary evidence, and file your lawsuit.

Steps to take to file a social media addiction lawsuit:

Verify eligibility. You must meet certain criteria to file a social media addiction lawsuit. An attorney can help ensure you meet these qualifications.
Collect evidence. You will need to gather all relevant evidence that may help to substantiate your claim, including documentation of social media usage, medical records detailing psychological or physical harm, and proof of treatment for your injuries.
File the lawsuit. Once you have fully prepared the case with the help of your attorney, you will file the lawsuit. It is important to ensure that it is filed within the legally specified deadlines to ensure your case is heard.
Begin negotiations. Once the lawsuit has been filed, your attorney may engage in negotiations with the defendants to reach a settlement agreement before the trial, if possible.
Prepare for trial. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the matter will be set for trial.

The statute of limitations in a social media addiction lawsuit is state- and case-specific. The amount of time you have to file a case may differ significantly depending on the individual circumstances of the case. Prior to filing, it is imperative to have a firm understanding of local state laws and legal timelines that may affect your case. Working with an attorney can help ensure your case is filed in a timely manner to maintain eligibility for legal action.

Potential payouts and settlements in a social media addiction lawsuit may differ substantially depending on the specifics of the case. Many cases are in the early stages of litigation, so it is difficult to determine the potential value of individual cases. However, cases involving teen suicide may result in settlements or payouts ranging from $1.5 to $5 million, depending on the circumstances.

Injuries in social media addiction claims are expected to range in severity and may include eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and child sex abuse. Cases involving less severe injuries, such as self-mutilation or a diagnosed eating disorder, may have lower settlement values, with most expected to range from $10,000 to over $100,000 depending on the individual facts of the case and broader litigation trends.

Currently, there have been no settlements reached in social media addiction lawsuits. Projections for these cases are based on the impacts on mental health and the potential for serious outcomes such as suicide. They are also based on the comparison with other mass tort settlements.

If you have been diagnosed with social media addiction or have suffered adverse health effects from social media, contact our office to speak with an experienced attorney. At King Law, our attorneys have decades of collective experience handling mass tort and defective product cases. Our legal team will work tirelessly and strategically to get the compensation victims deserve. All consultations are free and without obligation to retain our services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Get answers to any major questions you have regarding the social media addiction lawsuits.

What is the social media addiction lawsuit about?

Lawsuits against social media platforms like Facebook (Meta), TikTok, and Snapchat, allege that the companies knew of the potential addictive qualities of their products and failed to warn consumers about the risks.

What legal actions have been taken against social media companies for addiction issues?

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against social media companies because of their role in creating potentially dangerous and defective products marketed toward children and teens.

What is the eligibility criteria to file a social media addiction lawsuit?

The criteria that you must meet to file a social media addiction lawsuit include proof of excessive use of social media (three hours or more each day) prior to the age of 21. You must also be able to show proof of psychological or physical harm caused by your addiction.

What types of evidence are needed to file a social media addiction lawsuit?

Evidence that may be helpful in a social media addiction lawsuit includes your medical records, proof of treatment, expert testimony, and proof of social media use.

What major injuries are associated with social media addiction lawsuits?

Major injuries associated with social media addiction lawsuits include self-harm, suicidal thoughts or actions, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.

What potential settlement amounts could be expected from a social media addiction lawsuit?

Settlement amounts in a social media addiction lawsuit may range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more for most cases and $1.5 million or more where a child has committed suicide as a result of their social media use.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a social media addiction lawsuit?

The statute of limitations is state- and case-specific. There may be several factors that influence the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Working with an attorney from as early in the process as possible can help ensure your claim is filed timely.

What is the process of filing a lawsuit for social media addiction?

The process of filing a lawsuit for social media addiction begins with determining whether you meet the eligibility requirements. During your initial consultation, an attorney can help provide a legal evaluation of your case.

How does social media addiction affect mental health?

Studies show that social media addiction can negatively impact a person’s mental health by triggering the release of dopamine. By stimulating the brain’s reward center, individuals are drawn back to the platforms over and over again to achieve the same effect. It is alleged that the platforms’ algorithms may promote body image issues, feelings of self-doubt, and eating disorders. In some instances, lawsuits allege that the algorithms suggest videos that promote self-harm and suicidal actions.

What are signs that someone may be suffering from social media addiction?

Signs that someone may be suffering from social media addiction include that they use the platforms excessively (three hours or more each day), they have expressed a desire to stop but cannot, suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they do not use it, and allow it to negatively impact their relationships or work/school performance.

Which social media platforms are considered the most addictive?

TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are considered the most addictive social media platforms.

Is social media bad for mental health?

Research indicates that social media may negatively impact mental health and cause serious psychological and physical harm.

What is stomach paralysis from Mounjaro?

Stomach paralysis or gastroparesis is a condition reported by users of Monjauro. It is believed to be caused by the GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Which social media is worse for mental health?

Platforms like Instagram are considered the worst for mental health because they often depict celebrities and influencers sharing images that may be unachievable to the average user.

What is the root cause of social media addiction?

The root cause of social media addiction is believed to be the release of dopamine that is triggered by its use. The activation of the brain’s reward center creates an impulse to continue to use the platforms.

How is social media designed to be addictive?

It is alleged that social media is designed to be addictive by triggering a dopamine response through likes, shares, comments, etc. The brain then seeks to achieve this sensation over and over again, leading to addiction.

Who does social media addiction affect the most?

Social media addiction most affects children and teens who often lack impulse control, seek to fit in, and may be prone to low self-esteem.

What percentage of the population is addicted to social media?

Research suggests that 5 to 10% of the population may be addicted to social media. This means that millions of people may suffer from the condition.

How many people are addicted to social media?

Millions of people around the world may be addicted to social media. Children, teens, and young adults may be most at risk.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuit – May 2024 Update