Today, it is impossible to imagine living in a world without social media. People use social media to connect with friends, promote themselves, and share content. These days, it is uncommon to find someone without some form of social media. Interactive technology like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pervades our lives. People of nearly all demographics use at least one, if not more, social media platform. However, social media can prove dangerous for younger users. Social media sites can foster online bullying, harm users’ mental health, and expose users to harmful content. If social media has harmed your child, reach out today to learn more about how a social media lawyer at The Lake Law Firm can help you file a social media lawsuit.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of families whose children were harmed by social media.
A Pew Research Center survey found that 90% of teens ages 13 to 17 have used social media. Most teens own a smartphone, and 45% claim they use social media on a near-constant basis. When people use social media, their brains release dopamine, also known as the “feel-good chemical.” The pleasurable chemical activity created by social media elicits addictive behavior in users. Users continue to visit social media sites, but the outcome is not always positive. Impressionable young minds are bombarded with unrealistic portrayals and expectations through social media.
A 2019 study published in JAMA Psychiatry examined 6,595 US adolescents. The study concluded that those who spent more than three hours daily on social media were at an increased risk of mental health issues. Younger individuals constantly compare themselves to what they see on social media. This comparison can lead to dissatisfaction with themselves and their lives. In a survey conducted in 2017, 43% of Irish teens reported social media as a source of stress in their lives. Many adolescents sleep with their phones by their bedside. Buzzing notifications and the temptation of a quick scroll can also disrupt sleep patterns. Decreased sleep can lead to stress, memory loss, depression, headaches, and gut issues.
Research has indicated that social media may influence our brain activity. One UCLA study found that likes on social media activate the reward center in the brain. But the increasing grip social media holds on the developing minds of adolescents may have damaging results. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions. Studies point to a new type of anxiety disorder directly linked to social media: social media anxiety disorder. People with social media anxiety disorder constantly check social media because they do not want to miss out. If they cannot access social media, they experience heightened anxiety and distress. This disorder is not the only concern for children and teens. Social media use among adolescents may also increase the risk of:
In October 2021, a former Facebook employee testified before the U.S. Senate. The whistleblower, Francis Haugen, claimed the company places profits before the well-being of its users. She revealed that the company harms adolescents through its selection of dangerous information. Also, Haugen alleged that Facebook systems optimize profits while generating self-harm and self-hatred, especially in teenage girls. Then, in June 2022, eight people filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms Inc., alleging the company designed its algorithms to addict young audiences. These lawsuits claim this addiction led youth to attempt or complete suicide, develop eating disorders, and suffer sleeplessness. Parents and users accuse Meta of falsifying the non-addictive properties and the safety of its products.
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) created a multidistrict litigation (MDL) for social media lawsuits in October 2022. Social media lawsuits in the MDL claim that social media platforms incorporate algorithms that promote anxiety and social media addiction among teens. Most of the lawsuits target Meta Platforms, Inc., owner of Facebook and Instagram, but the MDL includes lawsuits against other sites such as Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, YouTube LLC, Snap. Inc., TikTok Inc., and ByteDance Inc. These lawsuits allege that companies specifically curate social media sites to manipulate users, especially adolescents, which results in self-destructive behavior, addiction, and psychological damage.
Furthermore, the panel centralized cases in Northern California under Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. As of November 2023, 448 social media adolescent addiction and personal injury lawsuits are pending in federal court.
If you believe social media harmed your child, you may qualify for a social media lawsuit. A social media lawsuit lawyer can help you recover compensation for:
Countless studies and years of research shed light on the unhealthy impacts of social media on children and teens. Most children create their first social media account between 10 and 12 years old. This early introduction to social media may harm and influence adolescents when they are most vulnerable. Social media corporations need to reconsider the mental health risks of their platforms. Parents, mental health experts, and youth advocacy groups demand companies create protections and safer social media environments for youth. Claimants argue that social media has chipped away at the mental state of innocent teens through addictive algorithms and harmful content. Has your child suffered psychological harm or addiction due to social media? Don’t hesitate to contact The Lake Law Firm to speak with a social media lawsuit lawyer about your potential claim.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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