Apps like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok have been designed to keep users engaged, according to lawsuits. Features like infinite scrolling, personalized algorithms, and constant notifications make it hard to put the phone down, even when users want to.
While these tools drive engagement, they also raise serious mental health concerns. Excessive social media use has been linked to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even self-harm, especially among children and teenagers.
The American Psychological Association reports that many teens spend more than 5 hours a day on social media. In fact, about 1 in 5 teens say their use has harmed their mental health or school performance, according to the Pew Research Center.
To date, over 1,900 social media addiction lawsuits have already been filed against major platforms, claiming they intentionally designed addictive products to boost usage and profits.
If you or your child is struggling with social media addiction, contact Sokolove Law today. We may be able to seek a social media lawsuit payout on your behalf.
Why Is Social Media So Addictive?
Social media companies like Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and Snapchat allegedly designed their apps with features that keep users hooked. These design choices make it easy for users to lose track of time and difficult to stop scrolling.
Some of the most addictive design tactics include:
- Algorithms built to maximize engagement by showing users content most likely to keep them online
- Auto-play and infinite scrolling, which remove natural stopping points and encourage binge use
- Push notifications that draw users back onto the app throughout the day
- Likes, comments, and shares that trigger dopamine-driven feedback loops, rewarding users for checking in
"These apps can cause the release of large amounts of dopamine into our brains' reward pathway all at once, just like heroin, or meth, or alcohol. They do that by amplifying the feel-good properties that attract humans to each other in the first place."
– Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford Psychiatrist
Social media features can create compulsive behaviors that look and feel like addiction, often disrupting daily routines, relationships, school, and work.
For children and adolescents, the risks can be even greater. Young users are more vulnerable to psychological pulls like FOMO (fear of missing out) and social validation, which can fuel mental health and self-esteem issues.
What the Science Says About Social Media Addiction
Mounting research shows that social media overuse doesn’t just affect how we spend our time — it can reshape our brains, disrupt sleep, and put young people at risk for serious mental health challenges.
Here's what the research and statistics on social media addiction reveals:
- Up to 10% of Americans may be at risk for social media addiction — and the rate may be even greater for children and adolescents who are more vulnerable, according to a California State University study.
- A study of 1,274 high school students found that social media addiction was tied to poorer sleep quality, with 43% keeping their phone under their pillow or by their bed at night.
- College students who used social media for more than 3 hours a day experienced poor sleep, declining grades, and higher risks of depression, substance abuse, stress, and suicide, per the Harvard Business Review.
- American teens ages 12-15 who used social media for more than 3 hours a day had twice the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms compared to lighter users, according to Yale Medicine.
- Device multitasking during homework or studying is linked to reduced gray-matter density, showing that social media use can physically change the brain.
- A review of 50 studies across 17 countries found that constant exposure to unrealistic body ideals online may fuel distorted self-image and eating disorders, especially among girls.
Together, these findings highlight a growing consensus among scientists and doctors that social media addiction is more than a bad habit — it’s a serious public health issue.
Recognizing the risks and symptoms is the first step toward protecting children, teens, and adults from its most damaging effects.
Consequences of Social Media Addiction: Are You Addicted?
When social media use becomes compulsive, it can affect nearly every part of a person’s life. Over time, this dependence may contribute to emotional, psychological, and physical issues that interfere with daily functioning and overall well-being.
Possible consequences of social media addiction include:
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
- Eating disorders like anorexia and related body image issues
- Irritability when unable to access apps
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Sleep deprivation and fatigue
- Strained performance at school, work, or in personal relationships
- Spending more time online than intended, despite efforts to cut back
- Using social media to cope with stress, loneliness, or negative emotions
Young people are especially vulnerable to harm caused by social media addiction, in part because of their lack of impulse control and ability to set boundaries.
Because their brains are still developing, they may find it harder to recognize unhealthy patterns or set limits on use, which can increase the risk of long-term impacts on mental health, social skills, and academic success.
"Imagine what occurs when young people — whose brains are still developing — are exposed to positive and negative social media influences for hours on end while typically unsupervised."
– Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, Social Media Addiction Author
How to Stop Social Media Addiction
Recognizing that social media use has become a problem is the first step toward change. Whether you’re struggling yourself or concerned about your child, building healthier habits can help reduce the hold these platforms may have.
Tips on how to quit social media addiction include:
- Create phone-free zones at mealtimes, before bed, or during family activities
- Gradually reduce usage rather than trying to stop all at once, which may be less stressful and more sustainable
- Have open conversations with children about online risks, FOMO, and setting boundaries
- Replace scrolling with healthier outlets like exercise, reading, or hobbies
- Seek professional help from a doctor, counselor, or therapist if social media use is harming mental health
- Set time limits by using built-in screen time tools or third-party apps to restrict daily use
- Turn off nonessential notifications to avoid constant distractions
These steps can help reduce reliance on social media and restore balance. However, if excessive use has already caused harm, families may be able to take legal action against the companies responsible.
"Social media is designed to hook our brains, and teens are especially susceptible to its addictiveness. Being aware of the addictiveness of social media and how to help your teens struggling with its effects is crucial."
– Nancy DeAngelis, Director of Behavioral Health, Jefferson Health
Social Media Addiction Claims for Mental Health Issues
Hundreds of families across the country have filed social media addiction claims against platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. These lawsuits allege companies knowingly put profits ahead of user well-being.
Through social media addiction litigation, families may be able to secure money for:
- Educational support if a child’s school performance has suffered
- Long-term therapy and counseling services
- Medical bills for hospitalizations, medications, or specialized treatment
- The loss of opportunities an adolescent may face because of the long-term effects on their health and development
For many parents, these cases aren’t just about the financial costs of care — they're about protecting their child’s future. Compensation from a social media harm lawsuit can provide resources to support recovery and healing.
Sokolove Law: Legal Social Media Addiction Help in All 50 States
At Sokolove Law, we have over 45 years of experience helping families like yours stand up to powerful corporations. Our firm combines national reach with compassionate, client-focused representation.
If you or your child has suffered from the harmful effects of social media addiction, we may be able to fight for justice on your behalf.
Find out why families choose our social media addiction attorneys:
- No upfront costs: You pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
- Proven track record: We've recovered over $10.1 Billion total for clients.
- Support you can trust: Our team understands how deeply this issue can impact your child’s health and future.
With the right legal help, families may be able to access compensation for therapy, medical care, educational support, and other resources that can make a lasting difference.
Call (800) 995-1212 now or get a free case review to see if you can pursue compensation from a social media addiction settlement.
