Have You or a Loved One Suffered the Consequences of Social Media Addiction?
In today’s digital age, young audiences depend on social media to stay connected with friends and family, pop culture, and other current trends and events. However, recent legal cases have shown the line has blurred between what could be average social media use and an addiction that results in serious injuries.
Harm caused by social media platforms like Instagram/Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat can lead to serious psychological and physical consequences, especially on underage social media users. Lack of protections, addictive platform designs, and a harmful algorithm can be some of the main contributors.
If you or a loved one suffered severe negative effects from social media use, BD&J social media injury attorneys in California are here to fight for you!
If your loved one passed away due to the addictive and harmful effects of social media, don’t fight for justice alone. BD&J social media wrongful death attorneys in California are here to help, call now to speak with our team.
Key Takeaways
- Recent case rulings hold social media platforms liable for defective social media design that focuses on addictive algorithms, promoting harmful content, allowing access to minors under 13 without parental consent, and more.
- Social media platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, TikTok and Snapchat.
- Social media addiction is defined by excessive and compulsive usage that affects everyday activities, feelings of anxiety and depression when offline, negative impacts on real-life relationships, and avoidance of responsibilities and hobbies (PubMed).
- A California wrongful death attorney from BD&J can fight on behalf of loved ones after the devastating death of a family member from addictive social media use.
Social Media’s Negative Effects on Young Populations
Scrolling on social media can affect young users much more than people think. Social media platforms are everywhere, easy to access, and can often push a visually attractive idea of connectivity for the average user.
However, the negative effects of social media are not meant to be overlooked. Some of the most recent data highlights the several ways social media can affect young populations:
- A study published in 2025 found that 4 in 10 teens said that social media use negatively impacted their sleep and productivity (Pew Research).
- 1 in 5 teens noted that social media hurt both their mental health and school grades (Pew Research).
- Adolescents with intense or problematic social media use were more likely to engage in substance use (ScienceDirect).
- About 27% of children who use social media for more than 3 hours per day exhibit symptoms of poor mental health (AddictionCenter).
While social media is thought to heighten dopamine levels for many impressionable users, the negative mental health consequences can’t be ignored. The “rewards” of social media use, e.g. connectivity, attention-grabbing visuals, and sharing about oneself, can come with a hefty price.
Call the BD&J law firm in California if you or a loved one has dealt with the extreme consequences of social media use.
Further Issues Associated with Excessive Social Media Use
Poor mental health can encompass a variety of issues that afflict a person. Some of the more pronounced instances of mental health problems that come from exposure to constant social media use include:
- Social isolation, aka cutting off oneself from interacting with other people.
- Body image issues arising from some of the most well-known social media trends around the body, like thinspo, fitspo, dangerously restrictive dieting, use of substances to achieve a body type, etc.
- Cyberbullying, which leads to harassment, intimidation, and even coercion.
- Doxxing, which is when a person’s private information, like their address and place of employment, is revealed.
- Misinformation, which is the sharing of inaccurate or false information related to anything, whether current events, health information, etc.
- Sleep disorders, which cause problems with sleeping and interrupted sleep cycles due to constant blue light exposure and psychological pressure to maintain social media use for fear of missing out and social inadequacy (sleep disturbances have been characterized as a warning sign for adolescent mental health problems and adolescent suicide)
What Does Social Media Addiction Look Like?
If a person is dealing with a social media addiction, they may exhibit symptoms like:
- An increase in social media use over time.
- Mood swings, with positive mood changes in connection to social media use.
- Using social media when walking, driving, or doing other physical activities.
- Distancing oneself from family and friends.
- Escapism (mental diversion).
- Isolation.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
What Qualifies for a Claim?
The impact of social media on younger populations in California and throughout other states shouldn’t go unanswered. A person who was so severely impacted by social media use that they committed suicide, attempted suicide, or had to obtain mental health therapy services spanning 6 months or longer may have a legal case.
How Much Compensation Can Be Recovered Through a Claim?
Every social media harm litigation case is different. In the case of the death of loved one from social media addiction, common compensation may include:
- Current and future medical costs
- Psychological therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How To Spot Social Media Addiction in Young Users
Social media addiction in young audiences grows rampant, often leading to harmful content exposure for users who are still being shaped mentally and emotionally. Spot signs of social media addiction in the young users in your life with the following:
- See how they interact with their phones. A warning sign may look like a teen or younger child who is glued to their phones, constantly scrolling, and unable to interrupt their phone use with other hobbies.
- View their emotional state. Emotional outbursts, anxiety and depression, and mood swings that only seem to lift when a child is on a social media platform may be a sign of something serious.
- Consider any disruptions to their routines. Has your child or other loved one stopped paying attention to their hobbies, hanging out with friends, and even spending time with family? This may be another red flag.
- Keep an eye on their sleepiness. Fatigue and sluggishness from sleep deprivation may hint that a child is losing sleep over social media use.
Get answers for your young loved ones. Complete our online form to connect and discuss your case with BD&J.
How a Social Media Injury Attorney Can Help
The effects of social media addiction on yourself, your child, younger sibling, or other underage family members should not go unanswered. When it comes to a legal fight against large social media platforms and their even larger legal teams, an attorney can help.
A social media injury lawyer can aid you in building a strong claim and can help in the preservation of at-risk evidence, like:
- Social media account information that highlights the user’s age, location, etc.
- Devices where social media accounts were used
- Social media usage history, which can signal watch history, interactions, comments, shares, etc.
Evidence that would otherwise be lost or overwritten can be recovered and presented by a legal attorney who is dedicated to fighting in your best interests. Don’t wait to get started on your claim, discuss your case with our team now by calling 855-906-3699.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Prove Social Media Addiction?
Screentime reports, testimony from friends and families, and the reports of psychological experts can help further prove a person’s social media addiction.
Can I Sue a Social Media Application on Behalf of My Child?
Absolutely. When it comes to the legal process of a claim, a minor cannot file on their own, but a parent or legal guardian can file on their behalf.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
When it comes to filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you generally have 2 years from the time of death to do so. This timeline is essentially the same for cases of injury as well.
Do I Have a Claim if I Ended Up Needing Extensive Therapy After Social Media Use?
Absolutely. Psychological trauma and emotional pain can be serious damages that impact a person’s life.
Will Sharing My Story Really Help?
Recent lawsuits have proven that it is possible to hold what were previously thought to be virtually untouchable companies legally responsible. If you or a loved one suffered serious consequences from social media use, sharing your story can only further help to hold companies accountable and bring necessary changes for future generations.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Spouses or legally recognized domestic partners and children of the deceased can file a claim. If the deceased did not marry or have children, then parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces/nephews, or any other financially dependent minor could file a claim.
California wrongful death attorneys from BD&J are here to help share your loved one’s case!
Can I Sue an AI Chatbot for Harming Me?
AI software companies have started being held liable for wrongful death cases. However, cases where AI chatbots harm individuals through false or incorrect advice are still fairly new to the legal landscape. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you learn if you have a case.
What Are AI Hallucinations?
AI hallucinations occur when an AI program creates incorrect or completely false information, including data, events, and more. These hallucinations are fairly common and increase the risk of serious consequences when using AI chatbots for knowledge, medical advice, and other communications.
How Much Does It Cost to Work with an Attorney?
Personal injury attorneys work under a contingency fee basis, which means all case costs are advanced to clients to get their legal claim started. Final attorney fees are deducted from the compensation amount after a case is resolved. This means no financial stress for you, and no attorneys’ fees until we win*.
Does BD&J Offer Free Consultations?
Absolutely! Our team is available 24/7 to book your consultation with one of our attorneys.
How Soon Should I Speak with an Attorney from BD&J?
As soon as you’re ready and able. BD&J offices are located in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Rancho Santa Margarita, Riverside, and Sacramento. If you can’t come to our offices, we’ll come to you!
California Social Media Injury Attorneys Unafraid to Seek Compensation for Victims of Social Media Addiction
The accessibility and lack of moderation in a typical social media platform can impact the most vulnerable audiences in unimaginable ways. While it can be easy to advise young users to stop scrolling or turn off the phone, social media addiction is very real and can have a lasting impact.
Whether it’s what they see or who they connect with, social media can lead to emotional, mental, and physical harm to any user. Platforms that deliberately push certain content, fail to protect young users, and continue to look the other way should be held legally accountable in the aftermath of an untimely loss.
BD&J wrongful death attorneys in California are here to fight for you and your loved ones. We’re not afraid to go against big social media platforms and make your story heard.
With more than $3 billion* in compensation collected for clients since our establishment in 2007, you can be confident your case is in the right hands.
