Social Media
& Youth Harm
Social media may have caused mental health issues in children and adolescents
Social media plataforms put profits
Over the well-being of our youth.
Social media is a big part of many teenagers’ lives. Instagram has an estimated 1.28 billion monthly active users worldwide, with 24% (over 300 million) self-reporting between 13 and 17 years old. Through social media, teens create online identities, communicate with others, and build social networks. They also use social media for entertainment and self-expression.
However, the platforms expose teens to a variety of subjects, including behaviors that can negatively affect them. Social media can distract them, disrupt their sleep, and expose them to cyberbullying and peer pressure, rumor spreading, and unrealistic views of other people’s lives.
Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at heightened risk for mental health problems, such as feedback-seeking behavior and social comparison. The longer they use social media, the stronger can be their belief that others are happier than them, developing a decline in life satisfaction, and depression or anxiety symptoms. Increases in rates of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders, even in children as young as 10 years old, have been alleged to be directly related to the harms of social media.
More than 2,000 families are suing social media companies such as Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, over children’s mental health
Why are Families Filing
Social Media Lawsuits ?
Social media companies knew the platforms could cause mental health issues but failed to warn the users. In 2021, the whistleblower Frances Haugen brought to light Facebook’s internal documents showing that Facebook knew its platforms, including Instagram, could be negatively impacting youth and was doing little to change it.
Meta’s internal documents refer to Instagram’s mechanics as “addicting.” Its internal research concluded that the platforms were harmful, especially to teenagers, in several ways. Some of their findings include:
- Approximately 200 thousand people could be addicted to Facebook;
- 13.5% of teen girls on Instagram say the platform makes their “Suicide and Self Injury” thoughts worse;
- 17% of teen girl Instagram users say the platform makes “Eating Issues” such as anorexia and bulimia worse;
- “We make body image issues worse for 1 in 3 teen girls;”
- “Teen girls and young women are particularly prone to negative social comparisons;”
What Are Potential Injuries In A Social Media Lawsuit?
- Social media addiction
- Depression or depressive symptoms
- Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- Body Dysmorphia
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm or suicidal ideation
- ADHD
- Other diagnosed mental illnesses
What can be the result of a social media lawsuit?
You may qualify for an Instagram Mental Health Lawsuit if you or your loved one is struggling with mental health problems related to Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platform use.
You may be eligible for compensation of the following:
- Medical treatment costs
- Therapy costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional damage
- Other damages
Social media platforms put profits over the well-being of our youth. They were deliberately designed to hold users' attention as long as possible, tapping into psychological biases and vulnerabilities relating to the desire for validation and fear of rejection. Social media platforms know that they are contributing to teen depression, anxiety, even suicide, and self-harm, but they failed to change their product’s harmful features.
They kept on utilizing algorithms that addict minor users, amplify and promote harmful social comparison, affirmatively select and promote harmful content to vulnerable users, put minor users in contact with dangerous adult predators, and prioritize engagement and profit over safety. .
If you think your teen is experiencing signs or symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues related to social media use, talk to your child's healthcare provider.
We are investigating claims related to social media youth harm and are committed to holding the platforms accountable for the harm caused to teens and other vulnerable users.
Contact us to talk through your situation and any potential legal options you may have! Call Knowles Law Firm at
Contact us for inquiries
Knowles Law Firm, PC will advocate for your rights.
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