Facebook Addiction Lawsuit

What Is the Facebook Addiction Lawsuit in 2025?

For many adolescents, Facebook is more than just a way to connect — it’s part of their daily routine. However, mounting evidence suggests the platform’s design may make it dangerously addictive, putting children and adolescents at risk.

Families across the country are now filing social media lawsuits against Meta, Facebook's parent company, claiming the app's features were designed to maximize screen time while ignoring the mental health consequences.

Lawsuits against Facebook allege the app:

• Uses addictive design tactics like algorithms and endless feeds that keep kids scrolling for hours
• Doesn’t do enough to shield children from cyberbullying, sexual predators, and harmful content
• Contributes to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and even suicide
• Puts profits, ad revenue, and engagement metrics ahead of children’s safety

More than 80% of Facebook users are considered problematic or addicted, with nearly 60% suffering from moderate depression and over 11% from severe depression, according to a Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition study.

A Facebook addiction lawsuit allows families to pursue compensation for medical care, counseling, and other costs while demanding accountability from one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.

At Sokolove Law, we understand the devastating impact social media addiction can have on children and their families. We've secured more than $10.1 Billion total nationwide — and we're prepared to fight for your family too.

Who Can File a Facebook Lawsuit?

Children and adolescents are vulnerable to Facebook addiction. Their brains are still developing, so they’re more likely to form addictive patterns and less prepared to manage the constant notifications, friend requests, and algorithm-driven content that keep them online.

You may be able to file a Facebook addiction lawsuit if you or your child:

• May be addicted to using Facebook or other social media platforms
• Suffered physical or psychological harm as a result of the addiction
• Was under the age of 18 when the addiction began

Facebook’s algorithms can amplify feelings of loneliness, low self-worth, and social pressure, especially among adolescents still forming their identities. These harms can have lasting effects on mental health and overall well-being.

Families only have a limited amount of time to file a Facebook addiction lawsuit due to state-specific laws called statutes of limitations. By contacting a social media addiction lawyer as soon as possible, you can ensure that you don't miss the deadline in your case.

Facebook Lawsuit Update 2025

Hundreds of families are now taking legal action against Meta, Facebook and Instagram's parent company, and other social media platforms, alleging that their apps were deliberately designed to be addictive. Victims say this constant engagement has led to severe harm.

To handle the growing number of cases, many social media lawsuits have been combined in a multidistrict litigation (MDL), which is similar to a Facebook class action. MDLs make it easier for families to pool resources and seek accountability and compensation.

About the Facebook social media addiction lawsuit:

• Case name: In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation (MDL-3047)
• Number of claims: At least 2,053 as of October 2025
• Plaintiffs: Individual victims, their families, school districts, and states
• Defendants: Meta Platforms, ByteDance (TikTok), Google, Snap Inc., and others
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
• Judge: Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers

Facebook lawsuits allege that Meta built the platform to be addictive, prioritizing engagement over the well-being of teens and adolescents. Find out about the latest developments in the Facebook litigation and what they could mean for you.

New Mexico Accuses Meta of Withholding AI Chatbot Records

In October 2025, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez accused Meta of refusing to turn over internal documents detailing how the company’s AI chatbots interact with young users on Facebook and Instagram.

Torrez first filed a lawsuit against the company in 2023. New Mexico v. Meta is scheduled to go to trial in February 2026.

"Meta's recent attempts to block testimony from a former researcher at the company and withhold documents related to its AI chatbots are the latest examples of the company's efforts to avoid transparency and accountability," said Torrez.

Wisconsin Family Files Lawsuit Against Facebook After Teen’s Suicide

The family of 17-year-old Christopher Dawley filed a federal lawsuit against Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Snapchat, alleging the platforms caused his social media addiction and contributed to his death by suicide in 2015.

The case builds on earlier whistleblower revelations showing that Meta was aware of the negative impact of the platform on teens’ mental health — but chose profits and engagement over safety.

Colorado Family Files Facebook Harm Lawsuit on Behalf of 13-Year-Old Daughter

A Facebook harm lawsuit filed in federal court in Denver alleges the platform caused a 13-year-old girl to develop serious mental health problems after years of compulsive use. The girl allegedly began using Facebook at just 7 years old and quickly became a “heavy user.”

The family claims Facebook’s constant notifications and algorithmic recommendations fueled her addiction and led to body dysmorphia, an eating disorder, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and school problems.

The lawsuit accuses Meta of failing to take reasonable steps to protect minors, instead designing Facebook to exploit vulnerable users and drive profit. It also criticizes the company’s weak age-verification measures, which allowed a child under 13 to access the platform unchecked.

Utah's Instagram & Facebook Addiction Lawsuit Likens Facebook to Slot Machines

The state of Utah filed a lawsuit against Meta and its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, alleging the company knowingly designed its apps to be addictive and harmful to children.

The complaint accuses Meta of using slot machine-style features, constant alerts, and manipulative algorithms to trap young users in excessive use while deceiving parents about safety risks.

Utah’s lawsuit is part of a broader effort by more than 40 state attorneys general to hold Meta and other social media companies, including TikTok and Snapchat, accountable for prioritizing profit over the mental health of kids and adolescents.

Facebook Settlement Amounts & Verdicts

Facebook addiction lawsuits offer families a path to accountability and justice for the harm suffered. The litigation is still in the early stages, so no Facebook or Meta lawsuit mental health settlements have been announced yet.

Facebook addiction lawsuits may provide compensation through:

• Facebook settlements: Both the family and Meta agree to resolve the case for a set amount of money without going to trial.
• Trial verdicts: If a settlement is unable to be reached, your case may proceed to court, where a judge or jury decides the outcome through a verdict.

Compensation from a Facebook addiction lawsuit can help cover medical care, counseling, and other support services for families to work toward healing and a brighter future.

How to File a Lawsuit Against Facebook

At Sokolove Law, we recognize how serious Facebook addiction can be for children and adolescents, affecting their daily lives, mental health, and physical well-being.

We also know the thought of filing a lawsuit can feel intimidating. That’s why our legal team takes on the heavy lifting if you have a case, so your family can focus on what matters most — your child’s recovery and safety.

Our Facebook addiction lawyers can:

• Provide a free case review to see if you may qualify to file a Facebook lawsuit claim
• Gather crucial evidence, like medical records, Facebook usage data, and expert reports to build a strong case
• File your Facebook harm lawsuit against Meta before the statute of limitations runs out
• Negotiate a Facebook lawsuit settlement that provides compensation as quickly as possible
• Fight for you in court and seek compensation from a jury verdict, if necessary

Taking legal action may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We can help even the playing field when going up against a powerful tech company like Meta, providing legal guidance and emotional support every step of the way.

Facebook Addiction Statistics

While Facebook can be a way to stay connected, research shows the platform is also linked to compulsive use and harmful mental health effects.

Studies reveal how the app’s design makes it difficult for many users, especially children and teens, to log off.

Facts and statistics about Facebook addiction​ include:

• About 1 in 10 Americans are addicted to Facebook and other social media apps, according to a California State University study.
• 52% of Facebook users were problematic users, over 30% were addicted, and nearly 60% suffered from moderate depression, according to research.
• 32% of U.S. teens aged 13-17 use Facebook, up from 71% in 2015, as noted by Pew Research Center.
• Teens ages 15-17 are more likely to use Facebook than younger ones. Facebook usage is also higher among teenagers who are Black (38%), from lower-income families (45%), and living in rural areas (40%).
• 3% of teenagers report using Facebook almost constantly, while 10% say they use the app several times a day, according to Pew researchers.
• Facebook users have lower grade-point averages and spend less time studying than non-users, according to The American Journal of Psychiatry.
• People with high Facebook addiction scores report later bedtimes and wake times on both weekdays and weekends compared to lighter users.
• Heavy Facebook use is linked to envy and feelings that others have better lives, which can contribute to depression, The American Journal of Psychiatry reported.

Taken together, these findings show that Facebook addiction is more than a habit. It can derail healthy routines, weaken school success, and even lead to mental health challenges.

Facebook Addiction Syndrome

Facebook addiction syndrome is a term often used to describe the compulsive need to check and engage with Facebook.

While not an official medical diagnosis, many mental health experts recognize patterns of social media addiction that resemble other behavioral disorders.

Researchers have identified 6 main characteristics of Facebook addiction syndrome:

1. Constant thinking about Facebook
2. Increased use of Facebook to achieve a positive effect
3. Interpersonal problems linked to Facebook use
4. Mood modification or improvement through use of the app
5. Reversion to an earlier use pattern after unsuccessfully trying to reduce usage
6. Withdrawal symptoms like feeling nervous when not on the platform

"There are about 350 million Facebook users between 16 and 25 years old showing Facebook addiction syndrome."
– Informatics

These behaviors mirror other recognized forms of addiction and highlight how Facebook’s design can trap users in unhealthy cycles of dependence. For teens and adolescents, this can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health struggles.

Facebook Addiction Signs

Like other addictions, excessive use of Facebook and other social media platforms can impact both mental and physical health.

If your child spends a significant amount of time on the platform each day, check for warning signs that their use may be problematic.

Signs of Facebook addiction include:

• Academic or work decline: Trouble concentrating, missed deadlines, or slipping performance linked to Facebook use
• Damaged self-image: Constant comparisons to others online that leave you feeling less than or unworthy
• Disrupted sleep: Late nights or waking up just to check updates and notifications
• Emotional ups and downs: Irritability, sadness, or anxiety when away from Facebook
• Ignored obligations: Skipping classes, work, or chores to stay online
• Social withdrawal: Spending less time face-to-face with friends and loved ones
• Uncontrollable scrolling: Feeling unable to log off or reduce time on the app, even when you want to

“Meta has preyed on an entire generation of young people for profit. The company knew exactly how [their] design decisions could and would hook young people to the point of addiction and yet continued to use them."
– Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell

Early intervention matters. Over time, Facebook addiction can lead to body image concerns, eating disorders, and worsening mental health.

Why Is Facebook Addictive?

Facebook’s design keeps users hooked by tapping into the brain’s reward system and encouraging compulsive use, according to research and lawsuits. In a 2023 study, researchers found that nearly 1 in 3 young adults met the criteria for Facebook addiction.

Facebook addiction features may include:

• Algorithm-driven content: Personalized feeds amplify emotionally charged posts to keep users engaged
• Constant notifications: Alerts about posts, tags, and messages pull users back even when they’re offline
• Dopamine hits: Likes, comments, and shares deliver small rewards that make users crave more interaction
• Endless scrolling: The infinite newsfeed creates no natural stopping point, making it easy to lose track of time
• Social comparison: Seeing idealized versions of others’ lives can trigger envy, low self-esteem, and FOMO (fear of missing out)

For kids and adolescents whose brains are still developing, these features can be especially harmful, increasing the risk of sleep disruption, academic decline, anxiety, depression, and addiction-like behaviors.

Internal communications indicate that Meta designed Facebook to maximize the time teens spend on the app. One Meta executive's initial request for more corporate resources for youth mental health efforts was never approved, according to The New York Times.

"We need to do more and we are being held back by a lack of investment on the product side, which means that we’re not able to make changes and innovations at the pace required to be responsive to policymaker concerns."
– Nick Clegg, Meta Head of Global Affairs

Get Help from a Facebook Lawsuit Lawyer

Social media addiction has harmed countless teens and children across the country.

Facebook lawsuits suggest that Meta knew the risks but still chose to design their platform in ways that kept kids glued to their screens, no matter the impact on their mental health.

At Sokolove Law, we can help families hold Meta accountable. If you have a case, we can take care of every step in the process, allowing you to focus on your child’s well-being and recovery.

Learn why families trust Sokolove Law:

• More than 45 years of experience taking on powerful companies
• No financial risk — we only get paid if you do
• National presence, serving clients in all 50 states
• Over $10.1 Billion total recovered for families nationwide

Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our form to see if we may be able to seek justice from a Facebook mental health lawsuit on your behalf.

Facebook and Addiction Lawsuit FAQs