In recent years, the meteoric rise of social media has revolutionized communication, entertainment, and education. However, as platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat dominate the digital lives of children and teens, growing concerns about their impact on mental health have sparked significant legal and societal debate.
Class Action Lawsuits
In response to these growing concerns, a wave of class action lawsuits has been filed against social media giants, alleging that their algorithms and business practices intentionally exploit young users while disregarding the mental health consequences.
The lawsuits claim that these platforms are designed to be addictive, leveraging psychological techniques to maximize screen time and engagement, often at the expense of users’ well-being. Plaintiffs argue that the companies prioritized profits over safety, failing to implement meaningful safeguards despite knowing the risks.
Snapchat
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Snap Inc. was named in multiple class action lawsuits accusing the company of failing to protect children from the harmful effects of excessive screen time and exposure to inappropriate content.
One lawsuit highlighted the case of a 14-year-old who tragically took her own life, with parents alleging that Snapchat’s addictive design and lack of safeguards contributed to her mental health decline. The lawsuits claim Snap was aware of the risks but failed to implement effective parental controls or address harmful content.
Facebook & Instagram
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is facing multiple class action lawsuits dating back to 2022.
One case was filed by parents alleging that the company’s platforms negatively impacted their children’s mental health. The lawsuit cited leaked internal research from 2021, which revealed that Instagram exacerbates body image issues in teenage girls and that Meta knowingly prioritized engagement metrics over user well-being.
Another case filed in August 2024 concerns a 13-year-old Plaintiff who alleges that the Meta products deliberately entice minors into a “harmful obsession” with social media.
Meta is also facing litigation from school districts and U.S. states arguing that Meta’s algorithms were intentionally designed to be addictive, disregarding the mental health consequences for young users.
The Road Ahead
As class action lawsuits unfold, they may serve as a catalyst for change, forcing tech companies to take a closer look at their practices and the unintended consequences of their platforms.
For parents, educators, and mental health advocates, this moment is a reminder of the importance of staying engaged in children’s digital lives. For the tech industry, it’s an urgent call to innovate responsibly.
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