These lawsuits are not restricted to teenagers. In fact, social media litigation has seen cases involving much younger children, not just teenagers.
If we take a look at the plaintiffs currently holding these tech companies accountable, there are prominent wrongful death lawsuits involving children as young as 8, 9, and 10 years old - such as the tragic cases of Nylah Anderson (10), Arriani Arroyo (9), and Lalani Walton (8). Even though these cases are distinct from the federal MDL, they are about the same core allegations now being litigated: that platform design can severely harm minors.
The litigation covers multiple age groups, including young children and young adults. If your family falls into any of the following categories, you may be eligible to file a claim.
Even children as young as 6, 7, and 10 years old who used these platforms may be eligible to participate in these claims. If your child has bypassed the platforms’ age checks and suffered harm at a very young age, you can take action to protect his or her interests.
The companies behind social media platforms claim they do not allow users under 13, pointing to federal privacy laws. However, complaints in recent cases argue that none of the platforms conduct proper age verification and rely on users to self-report their age. It has also been stated that children are intentionally targeted as they are "financially lucrative" when they become addicted to or compulsively use social media, which can affect children well into their teenage years.
As children reach adolescence, the way they use social media and manage its risks changes. Ages 13 to 17 are likely the most frequently discussed age group in the litigation, as adolescents in these age brackets are especially sensitive to the features that encourage excessive engagement. As their brains are still developing, they are highly sensitive to rewards, peer approval, and social comparison - factors that social media’s algorithms exploit and amplify.
If your child is over 18, as long as the platform use and the resulting medical diagnoses started before turning 18, a claim can still be filed. In this case, the young adult will file the lawsuit in their own name, and our team guides you through the intake process to make it as simple and straightforward as possible.
Age is only one factor in these cases, and state deadlines can impact your ability to file. Do not assume you are disqualified because of your child’s current age. Let our team assess your timeline, determine eligibility, and take care of the first steps so you can focus on recovery.