Social Media Addiction
OpenFASTCausation
Plaintiffs allege algorithmic amplification of harmful content causes depression, anxiety, and self-harm in minors. Expert testimony on dopaminergic reward pathways and internal company research (Frances Haugen disclosures) supports design defect theory. JCCP jury validated causation March 2026.
Defendants
| Entity | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Platforms | Platform Operator | Instagram & Facebook — primary defendant in JCCP verdict |
| Alphabet / Google | Platform Operator | YouTube — co-defendant in $6M JCCP verdict |
| Snap Inc. | Platform Operator | Snapchat — named in federal MDL |
| ByteDance / TikTok | Platform Operator | TikTok — growing exposure from AG actions |
Litigation Timeline
Intelligence Signals
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Key Facts
- Status
- active
Geographic Exposure
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Minor (under 18) who used social media platforms
- ✓Diagnosed with depression, anxiety, eating disorder, or self-harm
- ✓Used platforms for significant period before diagnosis
- ✓Platform use substantially contributed to mental health injury