Does your child qualify for a social media addiction claim?

Social media and teen addiction

If your child used social media as a minor and later developed a diagnosed mental health condition, Atraxia Law can look at whether the situation may qualify for a claim. Claims generally involve children who started using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, or YouTube before adulthood and later received a related diagnosis. The litigation is built around the idea that these platforms were designed to maximize engagement among young users in ways that led to real psychological harm.

Minors aren’t expected to bring a suit on their own, so a parent or a guardian can file a claim on their behalf. Atraxia Law can help you determine whether your child's situation fits the current litigation.

Eligible diagnoses for social media addiction claims

A qualifying diagnosis is central to building a strong case. Having medical records or documentation of treatment can help support the case, though a formal diagnosis is generally the most important factor courts are looking at. Eligible diagnoses include:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Binge eating
• Self-harm and suicide
• Hospitalization

Social media platforms involved in these claims

Current litigation over addictive design has pulled in several major social media platforms, all accused of designing features that put engagement before the well-being of younger users. The platforms named most often include:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• Facebook
• YouTube

Design and addiction traits that create liability

Social media companies may be held liable for features built to keep users engaged rather than simply to share content. Courts are increasingly treating these features as product design choices rather than neutral tools for communication. These design-addiction traits include:

• Infinite scroll
• Autoplay
• Push notifications
• Algorithmic curation
• Variable rewards
• App architecture

Each of these features plays a role in keeping young users on a platform longer than they otherwise would be, which is part of what makes the current litigation different from past attempts to hold social media companies accountable.

Current litigation

MDL 3047 is challenging social media platforms' long-standing protection under Section 230, shifting the focus away from content moderation and onto product design itself. This shift is what has allowed thousands of families to move forward with claims that were previously blocked. With bellwether trials approaching in 2026, the window to file may be limited.

File a social media addiction claim

Atraxia Law takes the complexity out of filing a social media addiction claim, so your family doesn't have to go through it alone. We look at your child's diagnosis and treatment history and connect qualifying families with an experienced attorney to pursue compensation. Reach out today to see if your case may qualify.