Helping Families Nationwide
Did Social Media Harm Your Child?
If Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat or YouTube use harmed your child’s mental health, your family may qualify for compensation.
- Addiction began before age 18
- Diagnosed with a mental health injury
- You pay nothing unless there is a recovery
Doyle APC handles these claims together with experienced co-counsel.
See If You Qualify
Find out if your family may have a claim for compensation.
A parent or guardian should submit this form for anyone under 18.
Who May Qualify
Families may qualify for compensation when social media addiction led to a mental health injury in a young person. These are the current screening guidelines. A parent or guardian files the claim for a child under 18.
- Addiction that began before age 18 An addiction to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat or YouTube that began before age 18, typically with three or more hours of use a day. The young person is now 25 or younger.
- A diagnosed mental health injury A doctor or counselor diagnosed depression, severe anxiety, an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt.
- Medical or mental health treatment The young person received treatment for the injury, or was diagnosed within the last three months and plans to get treatment.
Families who lost a child to suicide at age 21 or younger may also have a wrongful death claim.
If you or your child is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Companies Named in the Lawsuits
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the four companies behind the apps teens use most.
Meta
Instagram and Facebook. The claims focus on endless feeds, likes and beauty filters that allegedly keep young users scrolling.
TikTok
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance. The claims focus on the For You feed, autoplay and viral challenges.
Snap
Snapchat. The claims focus on streaks, disappearing messages and other features that allegedly reward constant daily use.
YouTube. The claims focus on autoplay and recommendations that allegedly keep young viewers watching video after video.
What the Lawsuits Claim
The lawsuits allege that Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google built their apps to keep young people hooked while knowing the risks to their mental health.
Addictive design
The lawsuits allege that infinite scrolling, autoplay, constant notifications and algorithmic feeds were built to drive compulsive use by children and teens.
Inadequate safeguards
Plaintiffs claim the companies failed to verify ages and offered weak parental controls that did little to limit how long young users stayed on.
Failure to warn
The complaints allege the companies knew from their own research that heavy use was linked to depression, eating disorders and self-harm, yet did not warn families.
Each family files its own claim for compensation, which may cover medical and counseling expenses, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
Where the Litigation Stands
Individual injury claims are moving forward in coordinated California state court cases in Los Angeles and in a combined federal case in Northern California. No global settlement for families has been announced.
- March 2026 In the first trial, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent and awarded about $6 million, including punitive damages. Both companies are appealing.
- August 2026 Meta settled a lawsuit brought by a coalition of states. That money goes to the states, not to families.
- October 28, 2026 The next Los Angeles trial, against Meta and Snap, is set to begin.
- February 2027 The first federal trial, brought by a school district, is scheduled.
How Your Claim Is Handled
This site is sponsored by Doyle APC, a law firm whose attorneys have represented consumers and injured people for over two decades, working with experienced co-counsel.
- Send your contact information The short form asks only for your name, email address and phone number.
- Get a call or email We reach out to learn what happened.
- Discuss your claim We explain whether the claim fits the current screening guidelines and, if it does, how the claim process works.
You pay nothing unless there is a recovery.
Common Questions
Who can file a social media addiction claim?
Under the current screening guidelines, claims are being filed for young people who became addicted to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat or YouTube before age 18, are now 25 or younger, and were diagnosed with a related mental health injury. They should also have received treatment, or have been diagnosed within the last three months and plan to get treatment. Whether a claim can proceed depends on its facts and the applicable law.
Can a parent file a claim for a child?
Yes. A parent or guardian brings the claim on behalf of a child under 18. Young adults 18 and older bring their own claims.
Is this a class action?
No. Each family files its own claim, and compensation depends on that person’s injuries. The settlements Meta and TikTok have reached with state attorneys general pay the states, not individual families.
What does it cost?
You pay nothing unless there is a recovery.
Will my child’s name be made public?
Privacy protections depend on the court, the person’s age and any orders in the case. Minors’ names generally must be reduced to initials in federal court filings, but complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed. The legal team can explain the available protections before a claim is filed.
Do I need medical records before contacting you?
No. You can request a free case review without records in hand. We will explain what information is needed and how the records can be obtained.
Is there a deadline to file?
Yes. Each state sets its own statute of limitations, and the rules for minors vary. Contact us promptly so a deadline is not missed.
Are claims accepted nationwide?
Yes. Social media addiction claims are reviewed for families across the United States. You do not need to live in California to request a review.
Find Out If Your Family Qualifies
Request a free case review to discuss your family’s options. You pay nothing unless there is a recovery.