Social Media Companies Face Lawsuits for Mental Health Issues in Teens and Young Adults
Parents have experienced first-hand how social media platforms negatively impact the mental health of young adults and teen users, particularly teen girls.
Social media platforms have caused young users to develop all sorts of mental health problems, from eating disorders and body dysmorphia to anxiety and depression.
Some users are even victims of cyberbullying, becoming more prone to depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.
Since the filing of the first social media addiction lawsuits, hundreds of families have filed also filed suit against social media companies like Meta.
These lawsuits hold aim to hold Facebook and other social media giants liable for causing mental health issues in young users, refusing to take action and monitor harmful content, and deliberately designing their platforms to foster social media addiction.
If you or a loved one developed mental health problems after chronic and excessive social media use, you may be eligible to file a social media harm lawsuit and pursue financial compensation.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to take legal action instantly.
Social Media Companies Know About the Harmful Impacts of their Platforms
In 2021, ex-Meta data engineer and Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked internal Facebook documents to the Wall Street Journal.
These documents proved what everyone suspected all along — that Facebook knew of the negative mental health effects of its platforms.
Worse yet, these documents also show that Facebook did nothing to protect its young social media users from mental health problems.
Findings in the Facebook Files include the following:
- 66% of teen girls on 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
- 32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse
- Harm on Instagram falls into three major categories: social comparison, social pressure, and negative interactions with other people
- 82% of teens have felt at least one emotional issue in the past month, and one in five has thought about suicide or self-injury
- 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
Young people use Instagram and other social media platforms at extremely high rates, and the lack of guidance provided to young users puts them at risk of consuming harmful content.
According to Pew Research Center’s 7 Facts About Americans and Instagram:
- Around seven-in-ten Americans ages 18 to 29 (71%) say they ever use Instagram.
- In a spring 2018 survey, roughly seven-in-ten U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 (72%) said they used the site.
- Children ages 11 and younger also engage with Instagram, though in relatively small shares, according to a spring 2020 survey, despite Instagram’s age guidelines which usually restrict children younger than 13 from joining.
- More than 40% of Instagram users are 22 years old or younger.
Potential Settlement Amounts in Social Media Lawsuits
To date, Meta and other social media companies have not awarded any settlements to plaintiffs or victims.
However, the legal community estimates that settlement amounts may range between $10,000 and over $200,000.
These potential settlement amounts are projections and are by no means a guarantee of financial compensation in the Social Media Addiction Lawsuit.
They are merely estimations based on prior mass tort lawsuits and estimated damages for common diagnoses related to social media addiction and mental health issues.
How much a person may be eligible to recover will depend on several factors, such as the strength of an individual’s claim and the direction of the litigation.
You are encouraged to reach out to an experienced lawyer to get a more firm understanding on the facts of your case.
Social Media's Effects on Youth Mental Health
Young adults and teenagers — especially teen girls — may be vulnerable to the detrimental effects of social media usage.
As more young users come forward with mental health concerns, the emotional toll caused by Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other Meta-owned platforms has become evident.
Some of the mental health issues experienced by young people include:
- Eating disorders, body image issues, and social comparison
- Self-esteem issues
- Social media addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidal ideation and self harm
Eating Disorders, Body Image Issues, and Social Comparison
Eating disorders are some conditions that can result from chronic social media usage.
Eating disorders may be the result of visual triggers, particularly when users see influencers and social media accounts engaging in or promoting unhealthy eating patterns or promoting certain body types.
When young users see personalities on their social media feeds promoting unhealthy behaviors branded as trends or aesthetics, they may begin to develop body image issues.
These unrealistic expectations can foster negative comparisons and cause unhealthy eating patterns.
For example, young women who see models on social media that are thin or have edited their images may restrict their food intake to achieve a similar figure.
Eating disorders are most common among young women who use Instagram.
In 2017, a study discovered that a majority of women who developed orthorexia (an obsession with healthy eating) and anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder characterized by the avoidance of food) spent more than three hours a day on Instagram.
Self-Esteem Issues
Social media platforms are breeding grounds for social comparison, with users often presenting their highlight reels and seemingly perfect lives.
As vulnerable users continually measure themselves against unrealistic standards, their self-esteem can plummet.
The constant comparison to others, coupled with a fear of not measuring up, can erode self-confidence.
This leads to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Social Media Addiction
Social media’s design is crafted to encourage user engagement and retention.
The constant stream of new content, notifications, and likes can lead to a dopamine-driven addiction.
Individuals may find themselves compulsively checking their feeds and seeking constant validation.
Over time, vulnerable users can become preoccupied with social media to alleviate feelings of anxiety and boredom.
The ills of social media addiction take many forms.
If left unchecked, this addiction can result in decreased productivity, disrupted sleep patterns, and an inability to disconnect from the virtual world.
The Pew Research Center has found that more than half of teens are unable to give up social media.
In 2022, the center discovered that 53% of teens aged 14 to 17 couldn’t decrease their use of social media.
This figure really shows how vulnerable teens are susceptible to addictive social media behavior.
Depression
Depression may develop due to the lack of quality social connections.
Social media platforms may offer a sense of connection, but these connections are often of lower quality compared to real-life interactions.
As a result, individuals may find themselves chronically dissatisfied, seeking more online connections to fill the void of genuine emotional bonds.
The constant craving for validation and approval from virtual interactions can lead to feelings of sadness, isolation, and boredom, ultimately contributing to the development of depression.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be the result of social comparison as users (particularly teenage girls) feel the need to constantly keep up with their peers and influencers.
Users may experience social media-induced anxiety about not living up to the ideals perpetuated on these platforms, fearing that their achievements and appearances are inferior.
This cycle of comparison can exacerbate self-doubt and worry.
If left unaddressed, these feelings can contribute to anxiety about one’s self-worth.
Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts, and Self-Harm
Extended use of social media has been linked to poor mental health and increased suicidal thoughts among young users.
The negative mental health effects discussed earlier — such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem — can culminate in overwhelming emotional distress.
The compounded emotional distress can push vulnerable users towards suicidal ideation.
The potential exposure to harmful or triggering content on these platforms can further exacerbate these thoughts, potentially leading to severe consequences.
Estimated Settlement Ranges
Projected or estimated settlement amounts mentioned are general estimations based on similar litigations, previous litigations, injuries, and estimated costs of damages. These figures are not guaranteed and should not be taken as definitive expectations for your case. Our goal is to provide you with a basic idea of what settlement ranges could look like.
Every case is unique, with specific circumstances that can significantly affect the outcome. This information does not constitute legal advice for your situation. To better understand your case’s potential value, it is best to consult directly with an attorney.
Tier 1: $10,000 – $50,000
For Cases Involving Lesser Injuries and Minimal Social Media Usage
Tier 1 settlements are typically awarded in cases where individuals have experienced the least severe injuries resulting from social media usage. Plaintiffs in this category may have had limited exposure to social media platforms, using them infrequently or over a shorter period. The harm suffered might include mild emotional distress, minor disruptions to daily life, or other less severe impacts on mental health. These cases acknowledge that while some injury occurred, the extent and duration of both usage and harm were relatively minimal.
Tier 2: $50,000 – $100,000
For Cases Involving More Severe Injuries and Increased Usage, Especially at a Younger Age
Tier 2 encompasses settlements for individuals who have sustained more significant injuries due to greater engagement with social media platforms. This includes users who began using social media at a younger age and interacted with these platforms more frequently. Injuries in this tier may involve moderate to severe emotional distress, developmental issues, or other considerable impacts on mental health and well-being. The increased usage at a formative age can amplify the negative effects, warranting higher settlement amounts to address the greater harm suffered.
Tier 3: $100,000 – $200,000 or More
For Cases Involving the Most Serious Injuries and Extensive, Prolonged Usage Starting at a Young Age
Tier 3 represents the highest level of settlements awarded in social media harm lawsuits. Cases in this category involve plaintiffs who have endured the most serious injuries as a result of heavy and prolonged social media usage, often starting at a very young age. The injuries might include severe mental health disorders, significant life disruptions, or lasting psychological impacts that require ongoing treatment and support. The extensive duration and intensity of social media engagement contribute to the depth of harm experienced, justifying the substantial settlement amounts in this tier.
How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help You
A case like the social media mental health lawsuit requires expert legal counsel and representation.
This is where an experienced attorney comes in.
With an attorney assisting you, you can rest assured that you have an expert in your corner to advocate for your best interests and attempt to maximize your potential settlement.
Some of the ways attorneys can help you recover the settlement amount you deserve include:
- Comprehensive case evaluation
- Determine and establish liability
- Build your case with relevant evidence
- Calculate and assess damages and losses
- Negotiate on your behalf
Case Evaluation
First, an attorney can inform you right away if you have a legitimate case.
By looking at your situation and the harm social media has done to your child, an attorney can determine your eligibility.
From here, your lawyer can provide guidance on the necessary steps you can take to initiate your claim.
Determining Liability
By determining who may be liable for the ways your child has suffered, your attorney can hold the correct at-fault parties liable in your claim(s).
An attorney can help pinpoint who may be liable for your child’s mental health problems, attempting to hold any negligent parties liable to compensate you.
Build Your Case with Compelling Evidence
Your attorney doesn’t just work to prove who may be at fault for your child’s mental health problems.
Your attorney can also strengthen your claim through gathering and retaining relevant evidence.
With solid pieces of evidence, your attorney can establish the severity of injuries and how the potential negligence of companies like Meta may have caused these injuries.
Assess Damages
Determining how much your claim can be worth can be tricky.
After all, in a case like the social media lawsuits, the injuries can be subjective.
Fortunately, your attorney can help determine how much you may be eligible to recover by calculating the damages you have suffered.
For example, your lawyer can use receipts used for therapy as evidence to prove your medical expenses.
These costs may entitle you to economic damages that offset the financial burden you’ve had to bear for your child’s treatment.
Negotiations With At-Fault Parties and Potential Representation in Court
Social media companies like Meta will likely have robust defense strategies to protect them in litigation.
These companies are not on the side of the consumer and will continue to evade responsibility for mental health issues suffered by teens and young adults.
Lawyers will work to protect their clients and negotiate on their behalf to come to adequate resolution.
TorHoerman Law: Your Social Media Harm Lawyers
Social media companies like Meta have avoided taking responsibility for the harm their platforms may have caused.
You deserve justice and a fair shot at compensation for the potential negligence of these social media companies.
If you or a loved one suffered mental health effects from excessive use of social media, you may be eligible to take legal action.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Social Media Harm Lawsuit instantly.
Our law firm is currently reviewing legal claims for the negative effects of social media on youth mental health, and we are strategizing the best route forward for an effective resolution.
Reach out to us for more information and find out how our attorneys can help you.
