Case Info
Over the past 15 years, social media use has become commonplace in the U.S., and social media addiction has risen dramatically among children and teenagers. A 2022 survey found 35% of all U.S. teens say they are on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat “almost constantly.” This trend has contributed to a mental health crisis among American children.
Social media companies have been accused of failing to provide protections to minor-aged users and deliberately designing and developing their platforms to addict adolescents, increasing the risk of teen suicide and other harmful behaviors.
Social media companies, including Meta Platforms, Inc., ByteDance Ltd., Snap, Inc., and Google LLC, are facing lawsuits for teen suicides and other harm that may be related to the use of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.
On June 1, 2026, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube settled with a Kentucky county school district in what had been the first school district case scheduled for trial in the MDL, resolving claims for funding for student mental health programs, technology initiatives, and platform changes.
On August 26, 2026, Judge Gonzalez Rogers entered a consent judgment resolving claims brought against Meta by a coalition of roughly 28 State Attorneys General over Facebook and Instagram’s alleged targeting of children and teens, including alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Under the settlement, Meta is required to implement daily use limits and nighttime-use blocks for teen accounts, stronger age-verification measures, and additional parental-control tools, along with monetary payments to the settling states. The settlement resolves those states’ claims only; it does not affect the personal injury and school district claims still proceeding in the MDL.
In addition to compensation, lawsuits filed by parents and loved ones of teens harmed by social media use seek to hold companies accountable by demanding changes to social media platforms, algorithms, and practices to better protect minor users.
Has Your Child Experienced Serious Mental Health Problems, Sexual Exploitation, or Physical Harm Related to Social Media Use?
Seeger Weiss is investigating claims involving children and teenagers under the age of 18 whose compulsive or addictive social media use may have contributed to serious harm, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, sexual exploitation, self-harm, or suicide.
Social media companies should be held accountable for dangerous practices that manipulate minor-aged users. Lawsuits may force companies to change their platforms and hold them accountable for wrongful deaths and other harms related to the use of social media by teens and children.
Parents and guardians of children affected by these practices may be eligible to pursue compensation on their child’s behalf.
Social Media Addiction and Serious Mental Health Conditions
Seeger Weiss is reviewing claims involving children and teenagers who developed diagnosed mental health conditions in connection with compulsive or addictive social media use, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Suicidal thoughts
- Social media addiction
Social media companies have been accused of using algorithms and other features that encourage repeated use and expose children to content that may contribute to or worsen mental health problems.
If your child’s social media use became difficult to control and was accompanied by a diagnosed mental health condition, your family may have a claim.
Sexual Exploitation, Self-Harm, and Other Serious Injuries
The investigation also includes children whose compulsive or addictive social media use was associated with:
- Sexual exploitation involving an adult they were connected with through a platform’s recommendation features
- Self-harm or suicide attempts resulting in hospitalization
- Serious injuries from dangerous online challenges, pranks, or stunts
- Death by suicide or other fatal injuries linked to social media use
Harm may occur online or extend into a child’s offline life. Seeger Weiss is investigating whether the design and operation of social media platforms contributed to these experiences.
Seeking Accountability for Harm to Children
Claims against social media companies seek compensation for affected families and changes to platform designs and practices alleged to endanger children.
If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 18 whose compulsive or addictive social media use may have contributed to serious harm, or you lost a child under these circumstances, contact Seeger Weiss to discuss a potential claim.
Contact Seeger Weiss to Find Out Whether Your Family May Be Eligible for Compensation.
If you know of or are concerned about someone who may be suicidal, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text TALK to 741741. If it is a medical emergency, call 911.