Concerns over how social media affects children’s mental wellbeing are moving from public debate into the courtroom, as parents in the United States push for accountability from major technology companies.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a series of high-profile lawsuits against Meta, TikTok and YouTube is set to begin this week at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The cases will focus on whether social media platforms knowingly contribute to mental health challenges among children and teenagers.
One of the central cases involves a teenage girl who claims that years of using multiple social media platforms during her childhood led to anxiety and depression. Her lawsuit argues that the companies were aware of the potential harm their products posed to young users but failed to take adequate steps to protect them.
Since 2022, dozens of similar lawsuits have been filed across the United States, accusing social media companies of intentionally designing addictive algorithms that encourage prolonged use among minors. The tech firms have denied the claims, maintaining that they are not legally responsible for user-generated content shared on their platforms.
The Los Angeles court is expected to examine whether there is a link between social media use and issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts in children. While some studies suggest the relationship is not straightforward, experts say the topic requires deeper examination and more comprehensive research.
If the lawsuits succeed, they could compel technology companies to redesign key features of their platforms or expand their legal responsibility for harm linked to social media use.
