Social Media Addiction Lawsuits in California

Updated October 29, 2026

Thousands of families allege that Meta (Instagram and Facebook), ByteDance (TikTok), Snap (Snapchat) and Google (YouTube) designed their platforms to be compulsive for young users, knew the risks, and did not warn families.

Where the Litigation Stands

• Federal court: In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3047, before Chief Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California (Oakland). As of October 2026 it had more than 3,800 pending cases and was growing faster than any other federal mass tort.
• California state court: related cases are coordinated in JCCP No. 5255.

Harms Alleged

• Depression and anxiety
• Self-harm and suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Eating disorders
• Sleep disruption
• Other mental health harm requiring treatment

Who May Qualify

• Platform use began as a minor
• A diagnosis or treatment followed, such as therapy, medication, hospitalization or an eating disorder program
• Young adults now over 18 who began using the platforms as minors may also qualify

What Helps a Claim

• Treatment records
• The approximate age when use began
• Which platforms were used, and how heavily

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need medical records?

A diagnosis or treatment record matters a great deal. We can help identify what to gather.

My child is now an adult. Can they still bring a claim?

Possibly. Deadlines depend on age and when the harm was discovered, so ask early.

Is this a class action?

No. Each person has an individual claim, coordinated with others for efficiency.