Overview
Social media addiction can result in serious, long-term consequences for users, especially young users. The excessive use of social media can lead to a wide range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, self-harm, and others.
Cohen Milstein’s Mass Tort attorneys are currently investigating on behalf of families and young adults in personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability mass tort lawsuits against major social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and others for knowingly and recklessly creating addictive platforms that can be harmful to users, and failing to warn minor users and their parents about the risks of addiction and resulting harm.
Consolidated lawsuits, filed in the Superior Court of California as part of a growing national movement, allege that these social media companies engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable acts by intentionally designing their products to maximize engagement, knowing it would lead to addiction and serious harm, particularly to vulnerable minors.
If you believe your child or loved one has suffered harm due to the negligence of a social media platform, please complete our confidential questionnaire and a member of our team will contact you.
The Social Media Platforms Involved
The social media platforms involved in this lawsuit are well known for their vast reach and influence over billions of users worldwide. The platforms that have failed to adequately protect young users include:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- YouTube
These platforms have been designed to keep users, especially minors, “hooked,” with features such as infinite scrolling, algorithms that tailor content, and social reinforcement through likes and comments, making it difficult for young users to disengage. These design elements, while profitable for the companies, come at a devastating cost to the mental health of minors who are more vulnerable to addiction and harm.
The Impact of Social Media Addiction on Minors
Research has shown that excessive social media use can lead to a range of serious issues, particularly for young people whose brains and emotional systems are still developing. Some of the most concerning effects include:
- Emotional distress: Constant exposure to idealized images, cyberbullying, and negative peer comparisons can lead to depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Many minors are also subjected to harmful content, including graphic or distressing material, which can exacerbate emotional turmoil.
- Self-harm and suicide: Tragically, social media addiction has been linked to an increase in self-harm and suicidal behavior among vulnerable young users. The constant pressure to conform or to receive social validation online can lead some minors to engage in dangerous behaviors, for example, taking part in online challenges involving ingesting excessive amounts of pharmaceuticals or choking to the point of blackout which deprives the brain of oxygen.
- Sleep disruption and academic decline: The addictive nature of social media often leads to late-night scrolling, causing sleep deprivation. Lack of rest can negatively impact a minor’s physical and mental health, leading to decreased academic performance and reduced ability to focus while in school.
If your child or a loved one has been harmed as a result of social media addiction, we are here to help. Our firm has the experience and resources to handle complex mass tort cases, and we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those who have been affected by corporate negligence.
Please complete our confidential questionnaire to request evaluation of your potential claim.