Social Media Harm & Addiction
Mass Tort
A wave of lawsuits alleges the companies behind the largest social platforms engineered their products to maximize time spent — at the expense of young users’ mental health. If your family was affected, you may have options.
The Research
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Independent bodies have raised formal concerns about how heavy adolescent social media use can affect mental health.
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In 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory, Social Media and Youth Mental Health, warning social media can carry a meaningful risk of harm to the mental health and well‑being of children and adolescents.
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Also in 2023, the American Psychological Association published a health advisory urging guardrails around design features that encourage compulsive adolescent engagement.
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Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and variable‑reward feedback are widely cited as encouraging prolonged, compulsive use — particularly in developing adolescent brains.
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Researchers have connected heavy use with disrupted sleep, body‑image pressure, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and patterns of use young people describe as hard to control.
The Litigation
MDL 3047
Hundreds of lawsuits have been consolidated in the federal multidistrict litigation In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction / Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3047) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The suits allege the companies knowingly designed addictive products and concealed the risks. State attorneys general and school districts have brought parallel claims. These are allegations the companies dispute.
Case Studies
Representative Claims
A family alleges a minor developed escalating, compulsive use of a video-feed platform, with documented effects on sleep, school performance, and mental health requiring treatment.
Read the full storyA family alleges algorithmic content contributed to a teen’s body-image harm and worsening anxiety, following design choices the lawsuits say the company understood and concealed.
Read the full storyA family alleges notification-driven late-night use led to chronic sleep loss and a measurable decline in a student’s academic performance and well-being.
Read the full storyEligibility
2-minute check
A few quick questions. This isn’t legal advice and doesn’t create an attorney‑client relationship — it just helps you decide whether to reach out.
Who experienced the harm?
Choose one.
How old were they when social media use began?
Your best estimate is fine.
Which platforms were used most?
Select all that apply.
What harms were experienced?
Select all that apply.
Was there counseling, treatment, or a diagnosis?
Documentation helps, but isn’t required to ask.
Common Questions
The first conversation is free and confidential. These matters are typically handled on a contingency basis, meaning you generally owe no attorney fee unless there is a recovery. We’ll explain the specifics before you decide anything.
Yes. Every claim is governed by a statute of limitations, and the clock may already be running. Because deadlines vary by situation, it’s best to ask sooner rather than later so no rights are lost.
Anything that helps tell the story: which platforms were used and when, the age use began, and any counseling, diagnosis, or treatment records. If you don’t have all of it, that’s fine — we can help.
Not necessarily. Many claims resolve through coordinated proceedings or settlement. We’ll walk you through the realistic paths for your specific situation before any step is taken.
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