Social Media Lawsuit (November 2024 Update)

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Social Media Lawsuit Table Of Contents

Recent Updates in the Social Media Lawsuits

November 1, 2024 - Amanda Todd’s Family Joins U.S. Lawsuit Against Social Media Giants Over Youth Safety

The family of Amanda Todd, a Canadian teenager who tragically took her life in 2012 after prolonged harassment on social media, has joined a growing U.S. lawsuit against major tech companies, including Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok. Filed in Los Angeles County, this lawsuit, representing 11 families, claims that social media platforms knowingly designed addictive products that prioritized user engagement over safety, ultimately exposing young users to harmful content and exploitation.

The lawsuit argues that these companies’ deliberate design choices led to severe mental health impacts, including depression, self-harm, and suicide. Documents cited in the suit, such as the Facebook Papers, reveal internal acknowledgments that younger users are particularly vulnerable, yet safety controls were insufficiently implemented. This case joins other lawsuits aimed at holding social media giants accountable for the mental health crisis among minors, with parents and advocates pushing for reforms in social media design and greater accountability.

There are 699 social media addiction lawsuits filed as of October 2024. There have been significant updates regarding social media addiction lawsuits, which are rapidly evolving as plaintiffs continue to bring forward claims against platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. These lawsuits focus on the mental health impacts of social media, particularly among children and teens, with claims of addiction leading to conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even suicidal ideation.

One notable update includes a recent dismissal of claims against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The plaintiffs alleged that Zuckerberg had a duty to disclose the mental health risks of using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. However, the judge ruled that Zuckerberg personally did not have such a duty under current state laws, though plaintiffs have the opportunity to revise their claims under corporate officer liability.

In other related lawsuits, school districts and parents are also suing social media companies, citing disruptions in classrooms and mental health issues among minors. For instance, some lawsuits claim that platforms like Snapchat, through features like Bitmojis, contributed to the exploitation of minors.

These legal actions are part of an ongoing effort to hold social media companies accountable for the widespread harm linked to their platforms. Lawsuits frequently cite issues such as body dysmorphia, anxiety, and the influence of social media on eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Some of these claims have been included in the Multi-District Litigation (MDL) against major platforms, showcasing the far-reaching implications of social media use on mental health.

As of September 2024, seven new cases were filed against Meta Platforms, Inc. et al., including a school district - the Lindenwold Public School District in Lindenwold, New Jersey - filed on August 20, 2024.

On August 27, 2024, an order was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, specifically regarding the case Tesch v. Meta Platforms, which is part of the broader Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation (MDL 3047).

The order, issued by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, addresses a situation in which the attorney representing the plaintiff, Cecelia Tesch (who is acting on behalf of her minor child, R.P.), has requested to withdraw from the case due to an inability to communicate effectively with the plaintiff.

Summary of the Filing:

Order to Show Cause: The court has issued an "Order to Show Cause," which is essentially a formal demand for the plaintiff to explain why the case should not be dismissed or why the current attorney should not be allowed to withdraw

Plaintiff's Required Response: The plaintiff, Cecelia Tesch, has 35 days to inform the court in writing whether she plans to continue with the case. She can choose to:

• Continue with her current attorney.
• Hire a new attorney.
• Represent herself (proceed without an attorney).

Attorney's Obligations: The plaintiff's current attorney is required to:

• Send this order to the plaintiff's home and email addresses.
• Make continued efforts to contact the plaintiff during the 35-day period.
• Notify the court if communication with the plaintiff is re-established.

Consequences of Plaintiff's Actions:

• If the plaintiff responds within 35 days, the court will decide whether to allow the attorney to withdraw.
• If the plaintiff indicates that she no longer wishes to pursue the case or fails to respond, the court will likely allow the attorney to withdraw and dismiss the case under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) (which allows for dismissal due to the plaintiff's failure to prosecute or comply with court orders).

What This Means:

This filing is an important procedural step in this case. The plaintiff must decide quickly whether to continue with the lawsuit. Failure to respond could lead to dismissal, effectively ending her claims against Meta Platforms. The court is giving the plaintiff a final opportunity to clarify her intentions before potentially closing the case.

The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) on July 30, 2024. If the Act becomes law, it will help the social media youth harm lawsuits by establishing a statutory duty of care for social media companies to protect young users from harm, thereby providing a stronger legal foundation for plaintiffs.

By codifying specific harm mitigation requirements, KOSA would set clear standards that plaintiffs can reference, making it easier to demonstrate that companies failed to meet their legal obligations.

Moreover, KOSA's mandates for enhanced transparency, reporting, and electronic discovery will provide plaintiffs with valuable evidence to support their claims, showing that companies were aware of potential harms but did not take adequate steps to address them.

Regulatory oversight and enforcement actions under KOSA could set precedents and offer official documentation of violations, further strengthening plaintiffs' cases. Additionally, the Act's emphasis on preventive measures will likely push companies to improve safety protocols, potentially serving as an acknowledgment of past issues, which might influence ongoing lawsuits.​

As of August 2024, hundreds of social media lawsuits have been filed nationwide. Some federal claims have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) to coordinate pre-trial processes and create more consistent judicial rulings.

These cases are headed by mass tort lawyers representing social media users and parents of children who have become addicted to social media.

At last count, there were 475 pending cases in the MDL, with the addition of 20 new filings in May. These lawsuits claim social media companies use algorithms and other technology to entice, addict, and eventually harm users, especially young people who are more susceptible to these tactics.

Here are some recent updates:

New Medical Study Links Internet Addiction to Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Teens

A study that reviewed MRI results shows how internet addiction impacts neural networks in teen brains. The neural changes lead to behavioral issues, including higher impulsive actions and reduced cognitive control.

This study and related findings will help plaintiff's lawyers build a strong case against social media companies. Based on these results, plaintiffs can argue that extensive and unregulated social media use is directly related to neurodevelopmental conditions.

New York's "SAFE" Bill Awaits Governor's Approval

Legislators in New York have passed a bill that requires social media companies to obtain parental consent for minors who use their platforms before they can use algorithms to target minors with customized content. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act (SAFE) awaits the governor's signature and includes the New York Child Data Protection Act.

At LLN, while we fully support the Social Media MDL, we also recognize the importance of new laws that strive to regulate social media companies and require changes that protect vulnerable young social media users.

Judge Addresses Discovery, Voluntary Dismissals, and Amendments to Keep the MDL Moving

The judge overseeing the social media multidistrict litigation has issued orders related to choosing bellwether trials, Plaintiff Fact Sheets (PFSs), the discovery of relevant evidence, and Meta's motion to dismiss. Some plaintiffs have requested the right to dismiss their actions voluntarily. The court granted some dismissals while requiring further filings for others.

The defendants, including Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, have been ordered to provide fact sheets and account data for the cases chosen for bellwether trials (test trials).

South Carolina Lawsuit Alleges Social Media Addiction Led to Auto Accident, Kentucky Family Claims Daughter's Social Media Use Caused Eating Disorders and Self-Harm

In two separate cases, teenage women have alleged their social media use turned into addictions that led to serious physical harm.

A 19-year-old plaintiff in S. Carolina became addicted to Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, which led to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. These problems eventually caused an auto accident, resulting in severe injuries.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old in Kentucky claims her addiction to Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok resulted in anorexia and bulimia, anxiety and depression, and self-harm, including thoughts of suicide.

Harm to Minors Lawsuits Involving Mark Zuckerberg Directly Dismissed and Will Require Revision

Recently, a California federal judge dismissed certain cases that dealt directly with claims against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

These cases claimed that Zuckerburg had a duty to disclose potential mental health risks to children associated with Facebook and Instagram.

The judge stated that many states do not recognize claims for negligent misrepresentation by omission, and in the ones that do, the plaintiffs did not prove that Zuckerberg himself had a duty to disclose.

However, the court has allowed the plaintiffs to revise their complaint regarding corporate officer liability, suggesting Zuckerberg might have participated in or authorized Meta's misleading statements and nondisclosures of these risks to children.

These allegations directly involve Zuckerberg and his responsibility related to the allegations, ignoring the warnings and misleading the public and Congress about the dangers. However, the bulk of the cases involved the companies themselves.

So, the plaintiffs will have to prove their case against the companies as individual entities and revise their existing claims that deal directly with negligence by their leadership.

Parents and Schools Looking Out for Children

For example, a family in Connecticut brought an action against Snap Inc. on behalf of a young girl who was harmed by two sex offenders who found her on Snapchat. Unfortunately, that case was dismissed because the court ruled Snap could not be held responsible for the third-party abusers' actions.

However, the family recently filed a new lawsuit alleging Snapchat's actions, specifically the creation of cute, cartoon-like Bitmojis, caused the exploitation of minors because dangerous people can appear harmless.

In other legal actions, some California school districts have sued social media companies for addicting minors and causing disruptions in classrooms related to the negative mental health problems the addicted users are displaying.

Facebook Shareholders Sue Meta

In a surprising turn of events, Facebook's shareholders have filed legal action against parent company Meta, claiming it failed to protect Facebook users from child sexual exploitation and human trafficking on its platforms. The lawsuit alleges Meta allowed these crimes to continue and failed to address the conduct after being made aware that these events were happening on Facebook and Instagram.

In summary, many people and entities are appalled that these platforms are injuring social media users and are taking action to end the harm. We will continue monitoring the progress of these cases to keep you informed. To learn more about your social media youth harm legal rights and options, contact the team at Lawsuit Legal News today.

What are Some of the Negative Effects of Social Media?

A Pew Research Center study about teens and social media use revealed that 97% of teenagers use at least one social media platform and that 45% spend most of their time online. The most popular social media platforms for younger users include Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Heavy social media use often causes sleep disturbances, distractibility, and isolation. Countless individuals have been subject to bullying and harassment through these platforms, and some have even experienced changes in behavior due to social media usage, with dire consequences.

We understand that the negative consequences of using online platforms that are practically ubiquitous in our lives can be shocking and unexpected.

Trying to hold giant online corporations responsible for how their products work and seeking to undo the damage caused by social media can feel overwhelming and daunting. Fortunately, this is a legal challenge you don’t have to face alone.

If you or someone you love experienced severe injury or harm due to social media, we encourage you to speak to an experienced social media youth harm attorney. Our lawyers are committed to pursuing compensation for injured victims, and we will always take your claim seriously. Reach out to our social media youth harm attorneys today and learn how a skilled advocate can help you and your child during a free consultation.

How Social Media Accounts Can Do More Harm Than Good

Several studies now attest to the harm social media can cause, especially to young people who already face intense social pressure from school and peer groups. Those who tout the technology's benefits often overlook the widespread harmful impacts children face daily.

Some of the negative consequences of social media use in children and teens are:

Depression and Anxiety

Several studies have linked social media use to higher rates of depression and anxiety and increased feelings of loneliness. These symptoms can lead to poor performance in school, decreased social interaction, and ill health effects on the entire body, from impaired kidney function to a reduced immune system.

Negative Body Image and Eating Disorders

Body image and appearance are important issues for young people, especially girls. A University of Haifa study concluded that increased social media use could inversely cause adolescent girls to develop a negative body image and various eating disorders. Eating disorders have the highest death rate among all psychological disorders, and sufferers endure, on average, 48% higher healthcare costs and 48% lower earnings compared to the general population.

Bullying and Harassment

Teens and young people are routinely exposed to online bullying (cyberbullying), harassment, and hate speech. While perpetrators of these harmful acts hide behind their computers and phones, victims of these behaviors often face shame and embarrassment and feel reluctant to seek help from parents or teachers.

Self-Harm and Suicide

Unfortunately, some victims of the negative consequences of online abuse feel hopeless, desperate, and like there is nowhere to turn. Sometimes, these feelings lead victims to self-harm and even suicide. Research from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has shown a link between bullying and increased suicidal ideation and suicide. It can be difficult to reach out to suicidal teens or know how to step in and offer help. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text TALK to 741741.

The negative effects of social media can have devastating consequences on families and loved ones. If you or someone you love experienced youth harm from using Facebook or another online platform, we encourage you to speak with a qualified attorney about possibly bringing a social media lawsuit. 

Social media can wreak havoc on the lives of those we care for, but you don't have to suffer in silence. Reach out to our social media attorneys for answers and find out how our mass tort law firm can help you pursue justice with a social media youth harm claim.

Dangerous Social Media Challenges Can Be Deadly

Online "challenges" present more life-threatening concerns. While some online games may involve relatively harmless activities, many revolve around dangerous stunts that encourage children and teens to imitate the reckless behavior of others in hopes of going viral. These trends have seen young people taking dangerous amounts of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, starting fires, burning themselves, and choking themselves.

In a lawsuit sparked by one of these challenges, plaintiffs alleged that TikTok's algorithm brought one of these dangerous challenges to the "For You" front pages of the app and contributed to the deaths of some of its users. Lawsuits like these have become more common in recent years, including the Omegle lawsuit. However, you should never file a claim involving a social media company without a skilled legal advocate if you want a favorable outcome.

Although these companies may have astronomical net worths, they also have large teams of defense attorneys and are unwilling to part with their money.

These complex and challenging legal battles require skill, finesse, and legal knowledge. Giant tech companies are not liable to back down unless you partner with a skilled social media youth harm attorney who can build a strong case for you.

How Do Social Media Algorithms Perpetuate Harm?

In addition to the recreational use of social networking, social media strategy is a part of many businesses. Many companies and firms employ creative talent and use the latest technology to attract potential clients and reach their target audience with information and interactive content. 

However, the algorithms fueling these social media tools can also lead to damaging or dangerous content. In Gonzales vs. Google, the surviving family of a university student killed in a terrorist mass shooting claimed that Google's algorithm allowed radicalizing videos on YouTube to proliferate. Cases like this one could have dramatic effects on social media law.

Social Media Companies Target Young People For Profit

Social media giants have enormous incentives to target young people. As the younger generation enters the consumer marketplace and workforce, these companies tailor their algorithms to attract teens and young adults despite the harm their services cause. 

Features that allow users to share their location and personal information can also put children and youth at risk of stalking, identity theft, and sexual predators. In 2018, Instagram invested $390 million into social media campaigns targeting 13- to 15-year-olds, naming them as the platform's most important source of ad revenue.

Social Media Law at a Glance

Social media is no stranger to public outcry and scandal. In 2021, Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, leaked documents that revealed the company's intentional social media efforts to target children and teens. Moreover, Facebook knew that these strategies hurt young people. The leaked documents exposed troubling data linking increased suicidal thoughts and self-harm to teenage girls who used the app.

In 2022, plaintiffs filed over 70 lawsuits against Meta (formerly Facebook), Snap, TikTok, and Google, claiming the social media platforms are “hooking kids” and causing real-world harm.

Just recently, in Florida, House Bill 1 (HB 1) was passed by the House and is moving to the Senate for a vote. This bill seeks to ban any teen or child under 16 from using social media. The law calls for:

• Social media companies to prohibit minors from creating new accounts
• Reasonable age verification for new accounts by social media companies
• Account termination for all accounts held by people under the age of 15
• The allowance for a teen or parent to request for their account to be terminated immediately
• And, if the account is terminated, all personal information about the teen must be deleted

Unfortunately, the Florida bill forgot to define a social media platform, which could open a can of worms. But we will see.

We are closely following the progression of new social media harm lawsuits, and our legal team is ready to answer any questions about your unique circumstances during a confidential and free consultation.

Are Social Media Platforms Immune From Lawsuits?

The vast resources and legal protection these companies receive make social media litigation complex and challenging. Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act provides immunity to social media companies and websites for third-party content users share.

This measure protects these entities from responsibility for potentially harmful content that is not considered the company's intellectual property because third-party users produce it.

However, this legal protection is not without weaknesses. Law firms are beginning to use a new tactic to hold social media channels accountable for the content they allow to flourish: product liability. Product liability claims argue that online platform creators bear responsibility for the flaws or defects in their products that lead to injuries. 

Under this legal argument, social media's algorithms to attract certain users (especially younger children) and distribute dangerous content could make these platforms liable for the harm they cause.

How Does Multidistrict Litigation Relate to Social Media Lawsuits?

Several federal lawsuits filed against social media entities have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation for pre-trial evidence discovery and motion hearing purposes. The companies involved include Alphabet Inc. (owner of Google LLC and YouTube LLC.), Meta (owner of Facebook and Messenger platforms), Snap Inc. (owner of Snapchat), and TikTok Inc. The litigation consists of more than 80 suits in 35 federal districts.

The plaintiffs claim that these social media platforms encourage addictive behavior, especially among adolescents, by design, and the companies should be held responsible for the damages that result.

How Can a Mass Tort Attorney Help You?

Social media companies have deep pockets and vast resources to defend themselves against lawsuits. If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to social media, you need a team of social media lawyers who are well-versed in how social media causes youth harm in your corner, fighting to recover damages for you. 

Just as victims seek compensation from responsible parties after a personal injury or an auto accident, you can seek justice for losses related to social media.

Potential compensation may cover your losses arising from:

• Pain and suffering
• Self-harm or suicide
• Medical treatment
• Psychological care
• Medication
• Emotional distress

You need an injury attorney who stays current on current social media law developments and pending cases and has the experience and resources necessary to take on these media giants. Our mass tort lawyers can investigate your case and help you identify responsible parties.

Although pursuing a claim against a social media entity is no easy task, our legal team is up for the challenge and comes equipped with the skills to fight for your rights.

A skilled social media youth harm attorney can:

• Identify which party(s) you need to file a claim against
• Determine the value of your damages, including health care, pain and suffering, and wrongful death or bodily injury
• Build a solid strategy around your claim
• Help you navigate every aspect of your case and the litigation process
• Negotiate a fair settlement value if possible
• Represent you in court if your case goes to trial

Our legal team recognizes that social media can cause great harm to young people, and we believe you have the right to seek reparations for the damages you have suffered. Our mission is to challenge the corporate giants responsible for this technology and fight for positive online changes and increased safety for today's youth.

If social media harmed you, we urge you to speak with one of the experienced attorneys affiliated with Lawsuit Legal News. Our compassionate team of legal professionals can explain your legal options and how to take the action needed to recover the compensation you deserve.

At Lawsuit Legal News, We Stand Up for the Rights of Victims

The lawyers who support Lawsuit Legal News stand with victims of social media youth harm and are eager to help those injured by it. Call us at 866-535-9515 or contact us online for a free consultation and to learn if you can bring a social media youth harm legal claim.