W&L Team Never before has it been so important to foster healthy, positive online spaces. For 97% of teenagers in the United States, internet use is a fundamental part of everyday life. (1) A staggering amount of that time is dedicated to social media — more than half of these teens spend 4.8 hours a day on social media sites. (2)
When social media consumes too much of a teen’s time, it can negatively impact academic performance, face-to-face interactions, or extracurricular activities, with the potential for severe, often devastating, emotional consequences. (3)
It’s time to understand the harmful effects of social media as parents, educators, and society as a whole. Here’s how to protect your teen from the repercussions and your options for fighting back.
Table of Contents:
- Effects of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
- What Qualifies for a Social Media Harm Lawsuit?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Social Media Affects the Brain
The influence of social media on the human brain is a topic of growing interest and concern — especially for young, developing brains. It becomes even more important to understand how constant online engagement can impact cognitive function and healthy development.
How Does Social Media Affect the Teenage Brain?
Social media may expose teens to overstimulation, constant media exposure, and the potential for digital addiction. (4)
When every like, comment, and share triggers a compulsive response, social media use can set off a cycle of cognitive harm. This is because, “the brain is rewarded inconsistently, which strengthens the habit and makes it difficult to break.” (5)
Hijacking the Brain’s Reward System
The brain’s reward system is indispensable. It fosters learning, growth, and even survival through the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with gratification and reward. (6)
However, this system confronts an unprecedented challenge in the face of social media interactions. Instant gratification creates a powerful, complex feedback loop. As part of this loop, users require “more frequent or prolonged use to achieve the same effect.” (7)
How Social Media Hijacks the Teen Brain’s Reward System
The quick, easy rewards of social media interactions tap into the teen brain’s evolutionary wiring. Teens, navigating the fast-paced digital world, may find themselves in constant pursuit of online validation. As these dynamics manipulate or even skew their biological reward system, it can lead your child to crave — and believe they need — nonstop affirmation, even when away from screens. (8) (9) (10)
This hijacking can wreak havoc on your child’s developing brain, affecting the healthy development and sensitivity to stimuli related to reward and punishment. This can have a lasting impact on their ability to regulate these systems long term. (11)
Does Social Media Reduce Teen Attention Span?
Yes. Social media’s fast-paced content challenges the brain’s ability to stay focused. (12)
Consider that every minute, social media users:
- Watch 167 million TikTok videos. (13)
- Like 4 million Facebook posts. (14)
- Send 694,000 reels via direct message on Instagram. (15)
- Upload 360 hours of video to YouTube. (16)
Teens are flooded with information, weakening their attention span, which may impact their learning, emotional regulation, and safety.
How Information Overload Undermines Your Teen’s Attention Span
Researchers have found that the overwhelming volume of content available today has changed the way we engage with information. This abundance of choices, however, comes at the expense of a sustained attention span. (17)
With many responsibilities on their plate, your teenager undoubtedly benefits from a healthy attention span. It equips them to:
- Focus during classes.
- Comprehend complex topics.
- Stay alert while driving.
- Manage stress in a healthy manner.
- React to changing circumstances.
It’s not just a point of pride; a strong attention span is a foundational asset that empowers your child to navigate life’s challenges today and in the future.
Without it, even the simplest tasks can feel like an uphill battle, leading to a significant effect on mental and emotional health.
Effects of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
Social media is immensely appealing to teens. It offers a space to connect with friends, express themselves, stay updated on trends, and receive validation from peers. Yet, these benefits also carry a set of serious drawbacks in the form of social media addiction and a potential decline in your teen’s mental health. (18)
How Does Social Media Negatively Impact Teen Mental Health?
Social media has adverse effects on mental health, given inherent factors in the environments that may trigger feelings of inadequacy, stress, anxiety, dissatisfaction, and pressure.
Key risks include: (19)
- Comparison Traps: Teens compare themselves to idealized posts, harming their self-worth.
- Unrealistic Expectations: Filters and curated posts set impossible standards, resulting in feelings of stress or dissatisfaction.
- Reliance on Validation: Confidence or self-worth may hinge on likes or comments.
- Pressure to Conform: Trends may push teens to conform to societal ideals and suppress their authenticity.
- Cyberbullying: Harassment, humiliation, or threats can happen anonymously with little accountability.
Does Social Media Cause More Harm than Good?
Studies indicate that excessive use of social media is sometimes linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. There is little mystery as to why. Social media platforms are designed to be addictive. Teens can get lost in scrolling and tapping. Without reasonable limits, participation in social media platforms can take a serious toll on mental and physical well-being. (20)
Teenagers are constantly exposed to idealized images. This, alongside the inconsistent ups and downs of internet validation, can fuel a heightened sense of self-consciousness and hinder the development of crucial life skills.
Can Social Media Companies Be Sued for Mental Health Harm?
Like any company offering a product or service to the public, social media organizations can be held liable if they fail to protect the well-being of their users. If your teenager has suffered harm as a result of social media company practices, there are routes you can take for legal recourse.
Has your teen been negatively impacted by social media platforms? Contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free consultation.
Get a Free Case ReviewWhat Qualifies for a Social Media Harm Lawsuit?
Families may qualify for legal recourse if a teen suffered significant harm, including:
- Diagnosed mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
- Self-harm or suicide linked to online activity.
- Eating disorders or body dysmorphia.
- Unaddressed cyberbullying or harassment.
- Exposure to harmful content due to platform failures.
Product Liability Claims
Companies are legally responsible for the products they make available to the public. Adequate safety measures are non-negotiable, even for digital services. If a social media platform rolls out features or functionalities that result in harm — such as addiction-related issues — affected individuals and their families can pursue a social media harm lawsuit under product liability.
So many families are facing social media addiction that lawsuits from across the country were moved into one group. This multidistrict litigation (MDL) is called the Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation MDL. W&L partner James Bilsborrow, Weitz & Luxenberg practice group co-chair, serves in the leadership for the MDL on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
Jury trials are already happening. Some trials began in March, 2025. The juries found the social media companies responsible for causing addiction. In one trial, the jury decided Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, needed to pay $375 million for its actions. If your family is in a similar situation, call us at (917) LAWYERS. You can file your own social media addiction lawsuit.
Keep in mind that the legal environment around social media is complex. Consulting with legal professionals familiar with technology and internet law is crucial when considering action against these platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
You probably have many questions about your social media harm lawsuit. Here are the answers to some of them.
What Proof Do I Need to File a Social Media Harm Lawsuit?
A social media lawsuit requires documentation and evidence to help support your legal claims. Any evidence or documentation that helps support or demonstrate a causal link between the social media platform and harm suffered. This can include:
- Platform usage data.
- Medical records.
- Expert testimony.
- Internal company documents.
- Witness testimony.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim Against a Social Media Company?
These lawsuits often fall under negligence and product liability or consumer protection laws. They are subject to statutes of limitations (SOL) that vary, depending upon the state. In New York, for example, you have 3 years to file claims of negligence resulting in personal injury. (21) However, where minors are concerned, in N.Y. and many other states the SOL is temporarily suspended (called tolling). It does not begin to run until the minor reaches 18 years of age.
What Can I Expect From a Social Media Harm Lawsuit?
You are hoping to get compensation and justice from the companies that harmed your family. A range of monetary damages can be awarded in a social media lawsuit. Damages can include:
- Medical expenses, including future medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Parental financial burden reimbursement.
- Educational expenses.
- Funeral and burial costs.
What Are the Best Parental Control Tools or Apps for Managing Social Media Use?
Parental control tools can monitor use, limit screen time, and block or filter content. Many social media platforms offer built-in control options. However, the effectiveness of these tools is questionable. Robust tools to protect children may work against the social media platform algorithms that are designed to attract children. Third-party parental control apps are available and may be combined with platform options. (22)
The nonprofit, Parental Control Now, just released its top ratings for best parental control apps for 2025. These include: (23)
- Aura was rated outstanding at 9.9.
- Qustodio was rated excellent at 9.5.
- Bark was rated excellent at 9.4.
- mSpy was rated very good at 9.1.
- Parentaler was rated very good at 9.1.
- eyeZy was rated very good at 9.0.
- uMobix was rated good at 8.9.
Get Assistance with Your Social Media Harm Lawsuit
Social media companies have a responsibility to protect vulnerable demographics from features and practices that have the potential to inflict devastating harm. Weitz & Luxenberg proudly advocates holding social media platforms accountable and seeking justice in the face of predatory practices.
Our lawsuit against social media companies consists of cases from families who have suffered harm due to the injurious algorithms and actions of these platforms. If your teenager has suffered from the negative effects of social media, justice is possible.
Contact our experienced firm for guidance. Call us at (917) LAWYERS or fill out the form for a free case evaluation.
