Social Media Lawyer

Social media is a part of many people’s everyday lives. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, messaging apps, and other social media platforms have changed the way people engage with each other. While social media can help us engage with others and find like-minded friends, it can also wreak havoc on users, especially vulnerable children and teenagers. Roughly 77% of Snapchat and Instagram users aged 18 to 24 use the apps multiple times a day.

Unfortunately, exposure to social media can lead to multiple serious issues, including cyberbullying, addiction, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, sexual violence, and social media violence. Has your child been physically or emotionally injured because of social media? In that case, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the person or company whose negligence resulted in their injury.

Injuries Caused by Social Media

Exposure to Social Media Can Result in Serious Eating Disorders

According to the National Eating Disorder Association, women between 18 and 25 who frequently viewed social media sites about fitness are more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder. Specifically, those who spend two hours a day or more on social media are more likely to be exposed to unrealistic beauty standards. One study linked higher Instagram use with a greater prevalence of orthorexia Nervosa symptoms.

Cyberbullying

In addition to being more likely to develop an eating disorder due to social media exposure, children can also be the victims of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying happens when a person or a group of people use a computer, cell phone, tablet, or other electronic devices to engage in aggressive and unwanted Behavior toward other people. Cyberbullies can use their device to share harmful, negative, and false content about another person.

Unfortunately, cyberbullying has become more common, and as many as 37% of kids between 12 and 17 have been the victims of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has been linked to kids having suicidal thoughts and committing suicide. Suppose your child has experienced emotional trauma from cyberbullying while using a social media app or another online networking device. In that case, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the negligent company that allows the bullying to continue.

Social Media Addiction

Many people do not realize that social media use can be just as addicting as nicotine. When children and teenagers use social media, they receive brain rewards and instant gratification that can cause dangerous addiction. Teenagers with social media addiction can suffer negative mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and a lack of focus. They can also experience neglect of their personal lives, escapism, mental preoccupation, and try to conceal their addictive behavior.

Social Media

This timeline includes the latest progress for the Social Media Mass Tort case, feel free to check back for more updates.

March 18, 2025

First Bellwether Trial Set for November

The first bellwether trial in the social media addiction MDL is scheduled for November 25, 2025. A status conference will be held on March 21, 2025, where Judge Kuhl will hear proposals for the 2nd and 3rd trial dates. If a global settlement is reached before November, these trials may no longer take place.

February 14, 2025

Positive MDL Ruling

The MDL judge signaled on Wednesday that she will not allow Google and Snap to file interlocutory appeals in the social media addiction MDL. She criticized their request as unnecessary, arguing that pausing the case for years over one theory of liability makes little sense, especially since school districts have valid negligence claims against the defendants. Google and Snap had sought to appeal the judge’s earlier ruling denying part of their motions to dismiss claims by school districts, hoping a Ninth Circuit ruling on state public nuisance and negligence could clarify key legal points. However, Judge Gonzalez Rogers dismissed their reasoning, stating that pursuing separate appeals would be inefficient. Google also pushed for a ruling on whether Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields it from liability, but the judge noted that Meta’s similar appeal is already under review by the Ninth Circuit, so she saw no need to act until that decision is made. In addition to the appeals, the judge addressed Meta’s request to delay an insurance coverage dispute during the MDL. She criticized the insurance companies for seeking expedited litigation and called the motion “unprofessional,” urging attorneys to consider the court's workload. Though no rulings were issued, it’s clear what direction the judge is likely to take.

February 8, 2025

Sealed Documents Unsealed

Judge Kang ordered the unsealing of a court document after the latest omnibus sealing motion did not request confidentiality. She emphasized the strong presumption of public access to court records, citing Ninth Circuit case law, which ensures transparency and judicial accountability. With too many sealed filings in this case and MDLs in general, she raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the impact on public trust in the legal process.

January 7, 2025

159 New Cases Added to MDL

During the month of December, 159 new cases were added to the social media addiction class action MDL. Nearly 400 new cases have been added to the MDL in the last 60 days. There are now a total of 974 pending cases.

This litigation is expected to continue to grow in 2025. In a new lawsuit filed just yesterday, a family from Deptford, New Jersey, joined this growing social media MDL, alleging that media platforms contributed to their teenage daughter’s severe mental health decline and eventual self-harm. The complaint names Meta Platforms, Inc., Snap Inc., TikTok entities, and Google entities, claiming that the companies designed their platforms in a manner that fosters addiction and mental health crises among adolescents.

The family asserts that the platforms’ algorithms and product designs led to their daughter’s compulsive use, contributing to depression, anxiety, and disordered eating. They further allege negligence, failure to warn, and violations of consumer protection laws, citing deceptive practices and inadequate safeguards for young users.

Sexual and Social Media Violence

Innocent users of social media sites can find themselves receiving social media content that promotes violent behavior because of the company’s algorithms. The algorithm may promote violent content that encourages activities that could result in real-life violence. A Facebook whistleblower recently stated that the algorithm could push anger-provoking, violent, and inciting content. When adolescents with developing brains are exposed to violent content over and over, it can have a desensitizing effect. Violence can become normalized and less upsetting.

Pursuing Compensation for an Injury Caused by Social Media

Social media companies nearly always use some algorithm to promote content to users. Their algorithms attract users within a certain lifestyle or demographic to certain content. When a user is health-oriented, the algorithm can bombard them with feeds and posts about weight loss, extreme dieting, and exercise. Social media companies that adopt policies that expose children to posts that lead them to develop mental health problems and anxiety can be held accountable for the injuries they cause. They can also be held accountable for or failure to take action to address bullying or violence.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Do you suspect your child or teenager suffers from a mental health issue due to social media? Has your child been subjected to cyberbullying or social media violence? In that case, it is essential that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. You may be able to hold the social media site accountable for the injuries it has caused your child.

Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Heninger Garrison Davis today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about how we can fight for your rights. We will carefully evaluate your case, help you understand your legal options, and fight for your rights throughout the process.

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