What Is Social Media Addiction?
Social media addiction refers to the compulsive and excessive use of social media platforms to such an extent that it interferes with daily life, personal relationships, and mental health. Users with social media addiction may find themselves unable to control the amount of time they spend on these platforms, even when aware of the negative consequences.
This addiction can manifest in various forms, such as feeling anxious when disconnected from the platforms or prioritizing online interactions over face-to-face ones.
Unfortunately, most social media companies design their platforms to be addictive, creating algorithms that promote content to keep users looking at the screen for as long as possible. The time users spend on the site or app is a key metric these companies want to increase.
How Does Social Media Harm Teens and Young Adults?
Social media addiction can harm teens and young adults in various ways, including by exposing them to:
With the pervasiveness of social media platforms, it’s easier than ever for individuals to bully others. Victims of bullying are no longer safe when they return home from school or work, as the bullying happens on the platforms where they spend their free time. The anonymity of some platforms also emboldens these bullies, leading to increased threats and other forms of harassment.
Social media’s fast-paced nature means there’s always something new to post about or engage with. The “fear of missing out” can lead users to spend more time on the platforms, as they want to feel they are part of a community or discussion.
Users compare themselves and their lives to the edited and highly curated personas they see online. This can be especially harmful for young people who are still figuring out their identities and may struggle with self-esteem issues.
This byproduct of social media addiction can have both physical and mental health consequences. Prolonged screen use can cause neck pain, make it harder to fall asleep, and lead to depression and other mental health issues.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of children under 13. COPPA imposes certain requirements on websites and apps, particularly social media platforms, such as obtaining parental consent before collecting personal information from children.
The terms of service of most social media platforms require users to be 13 or older to create accounts as part of their compliance with COPPA. However, they usually have no safeguards in place to prevent children younger than 13 from making accounts. This lack of safeguards also exposes children to potentially harmful content without parental oversight.
What Can You Sue Social Media Companies For?
Victims of social media harm may be able to seek compensation using the following legal theories:
Social media companies have a duty to protect their users from foreseeable harm. However, many don’t have effective measures in place to combat cyberbullying, prevent harmful content from reaching young users, or limit the spread of misinformation.
In some cases, social media platforms may count as defective products by design. For example, an algorithm that increases user engagement by promoting content it knows will upset users and make them more likely to interact could be unreasonably harmful.
For years, social media companies have downplayed or concealed the risks of using their platforms. They misrepresent the safety of their products or fail to disclose the full extent of their products’ psychological impact on users.
If you believe you or your child suffered harm due to the harmful practices of a social media platform, fill out our questionnaire to determine whether you qualify to file a lawsuit.
Eligibility for a Social Media Harm Mass Tort Lawsuit
To mount a successful social media harm mass tort lawsuit, plaintiffs will need the following evidence:
- Proof that they regularly used the social media platform that caused the alleged harm, such as an account with history
- Proof of the harmful practices of the platform, such as screenshots of posts the user saw
- Proof of harm caused by the user’s social media use, such as a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder after regular social media use
Proof of financial losses connected to the harm, such as medical bills for therapy or eating disorder treatment
Compensation Available for Victims of Social Media Harm
Victims of social media harm may be able to recover compensation for their:
- Medical expenses related to the treatment of their conditions caused by social media use
- Lost wages related to the impact social media use had on their ability to work
Physical pain and emotional suffering experienced due to medical conditions caused by social media use
Find Out if You Have a Social Media Harm Case
Did you or a loved one suffer harm due to social media use? You may be able to seek compensation for your physical and psychological injuries by joining a mass tort lawsuit against the social media company responsible. Fill out our questionnaire to determine your eligibility to file suit. If you qualify, you will be able to begin filing your case with our experienced attorneys immediately.