Social media platforms have become increasingly damaging to the mental health of teenage users. Social media harm lawsuits claim that social media companies are responsible for onsetting or heightening mental health problems, eating disorders, mood disorders, and other negative experiences of vulnerable users, teens, and children.
This rising concern has led to a number of proposed solutions, including more government regulation, better parental controls, and increased self-regulation by social media sites. However, it is unclear whether any of these measures will be effective in addressing the root causes of the problem.
Social media harm lawsuits claim that social media companies are responsible for onsetting or heightening mental health problems, eating disorders, mood disorders, and other negative experiences of teens and children.
If you or a loved one have experienced mental health issues due to social media addiction or excessive use, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Contact TruLaw for a free consultation or use the chatbot on this page for a free case evaluation to see if you qualify for potential legal action instantly.
If you are struggling with mental health issues due to social media use, it is important to seek help from a professional. There is no shame in admitting that you need help and support to deal with the negative effects of social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Social Media Companies Have Been Named in Lawsuits?
The social media platforms named in social media addiction and social media mental health lawsuits have been Facebook (Meta), Instagram, TikTok (ByteDance), YouTube, and other social media companies.
The majority of lawsuits filed name one social media company, Facebook (Meta Platforms) as the primary defendant.
What injuries or diagnoses are common in social media mental health cases?
Common diagnoses and injuries in these lawsuits alleging harm from social media companies include:
- Depression or depressive symptoms
- Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- Body Dysmorphia
- ADHD
- Self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Any other diagnosed mental illnesses
How much are these lawsuits worth?
The typical settlement amounts for social media mental health lawsuits are unknown as of now. When these lawsuits are further along in court, we’ll have a better idea of the average settlement amount for each case, depending on the diagnosis and allegations.
Social Media Mental Health Lawsuit Overview
The social media addiction or social media mental health lawsuit alleges that young adults and teen users have been diagnosed with mental illnesses, eating disorders, body image issues, and other mental health issues due to excessive social media use.
Lawsuits also allege that social media companies, particularly Facebook and Instagram, knew that their products were dangerous for young users and did not do enough to mitigate the harmful content or algorithm that contributes to potential mental health issues.
The complex algorithms of social media platforms are constantly adapting and exposing young people to new and potentially harmful content. Parents must be vigilant of their child’s social media habits and step in when they see these outlets doing more harm than good.
What is the Status of Social Media Mental Health Lawsuits?
Lawsuits alleging mental health conditions and other mental problems stemming from excessive social media use are currently being considered for consolidation into multidistrict litigation (MDL). There are 75 lawsuits in the request for consolidation.
If consolidation does occur, the cases alleging mental health problems from social media use will be centralized in a single district court for consistency of decisions and to speed up the legal process.
Facebook and Instagram support consolidation of these lawsuits, but other social media companies are saying that these lawsuits primarily target Facebook and Instagram and they don’t fit the bill.
Research and Statistics on Social Media Companies and Mental Health
Research studies, news articles, and other forms of commentary have come out in the past couple of years exposing the facts that excessive social media use and social media addiction contribute to mental health issues, particularly in teen users.
A University of Pennsylvania study titled “No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression” found that in young users, mental health problems decreased dramatically when they limited time spent on their social media platform of choice.
Other studies have come to the same conclusion, and Facebook’s internal research has also found that a troubling portion of their younger users reported mental health issues associated with what they see on Instagram.
Screen time and time spent on social media platforms have correlated directly with decreased self-esteem, increased depression and anxiety, and other serious mental health problems including suicidal ideation, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.
The mounting evidence in scientific studies and personal testimony from teen users suggest that harm caused by excessive social media usage is more common than we think.
The Facebook Papers: Instagram Has Harmful Effects on the Mental Health of Teenage Girls and Young Women
The Wall Street Journal published a number of leaked internal research documents from Facebook that shows that the company knew that its social media products were harmful to the mental health of young people.
The internal presentations focused on the harmful effects of Instagram and included survey results of teenage girls on how the platform made them feel.
Some of the most important statistics in the leaked presentations include:
- 66% of teen girls who use Instagram experience negative social comparison
- 52% of teen girls who experienced negative social comparison on Instagram said it was caused by images related to beauty and body image
- 32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse
- The boundary between social media and in-person relationships is often blurred, which can negatively impact self-esteem and mental health in general.
- Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms
- Teenage users who struggle with mental health say that Instagram makes it worse and the positive aspects do not outweigh its negative impacts on self-esteem and mental health
Social Media Use Statistics Among Teens and Young People
Social media accounts are a commonality nowadays among teens and young people. In surveys, almost 97% of teens had at least one social media account, and at least 86% of young people have had at least one negative experience on social media.
According to Pew Research Center, teen social media users engaged with YouTube most regularly, followed by TikTok and Instagram. Facebook has taken a drastic fall in use statistics among teens, but since it is the parent company of Instagram, its influence in the industry is still as large as ever.
Do You Qualify for a Social Media Addiction or Mental Health Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one are suffering from mental health issues, an eating disorder, body image issues, suicidal ideation, or other mental problems relating to excessive social media use or social media addiction, you may qualify to file a lawsuit.
TruLaw: Investigating the Social Media Addiction and Social Media Mental Health Lawsuits
Our network of law firms and experienced attorneys are currently investigating the claims against social media companies and strategizing how to move forward with legal action.
We understand that the subject matter in social media harm lawsuits is sensitive, and we’ll work our hardest to ensure that your voice is heard.
Contact us for a free case evaluation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for a claim instantly.
If you or a loved one is going through mental trauma, consider seeking help from a professional as soon as possible. There is no shame in reaching out for help if you’re dealing with mental illness, suicidal ideation, or any other mental issue.
There is help available no matter the time of day: contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 if you’re experiencing thoughts about self-harm or suicide.