Social Media Litigation Over Youth Harm
Multiple lawsuits against Meta and Snap allege harm to youth through social media addiction and are seeking financial compensation and policy changes.
January 2023
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez sues Meta
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez sued Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The lawsuit alleged that Meta failed to protect children from online dangers.
Source ↗Guardian investigation exposes child sex trafficking on Facebook
A Guardian investigation exposed how Facebook and Instagram had become marketplaces for child sex trafficking. This investigation preceded the landmark legal action against Meta.
Source ↗March 2024
Jury finds Meta liable for endangering children
A jury found Meta liable for endangering children by making them vulnerable to predators on its platforms. This resulted in Meta being ordered to pay $375 million in damages to New Mexico.
Source ↗March 2026
Jury finds Meta liable for platform harms in New Mexico
A jury found Meta liable for misleading users about platform safety and enabling harm, including child sexual exploitation. The social media giant was fined nearly $1bn as a result of the case.
Source ↗July 2026
Over 1,000 school districts sue Meta, Google, TikTok
More than 1,000 school districts have initiated lawsuits against social media companies. The lawsuits allege that social media platforms have contributed to a youth mental health crisis and depleted school resources.
Source ↗Snap settles social media addiction lawsuit
Snap reached a tentative agreement to settle a lawsuit alleging social media platforms harm children and young adults. This settlement occurred ahead of a trial scheduled for later that month.
Source ↗TikTok settles lawsuit with plaintiff R.K.C.
TikTok settled its portion of a lawsuit with the plaintiff, R.K.C. This settlement occurred before a jury trial in Los Angeles.
Source ↗YouTube reaches deal in youth harm litigation
YouTube reached a settlement agreement in the ongoing litigation. Meta remained the only defendant after this development.
Source ↗Over 1,000 school districts sue social media giants
More than 1,000 school districts, including LAUSD, have filed lawsuits against Meta, Google, and TikTok. The lawsuits allege that social media platforms have contributed to a youth mental health crisis and depleted school resources.
Source ↗August 2026
New Mexico Court Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million Fund
The First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, issued a decision in the remedies phase of State of New Mexico v. Meta Platforms Inc. The court ordered Meta to create a $567 million abatement fund.
Source ↗New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay over $500 million
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay more than $500 million. The ruling found the social media company created a public nuisance and harmed children.
Source ↗New Mexico court mandates platform changes for Meta
The court ordered Meta to remove 'like' counts and only show them to minors with parental consent. The order also prohibits overnight push notifications for users under age 18.
Source ↗Meta loses legal battle in New Mexico regarding youth harms
Meta faced a loss in a legal case within the state of New Mexico. This loss occurred shortly before the current legal developments against the company.
Source ↗New Mexico judge orders Meta to fund youth mental health treatment
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million for a fund to alleviate the "public nuisance" created by its social media services. This order mandates funding for youth mental health care.
Source ↗Jury orders Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties
A jury previously ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties related to the social media litigation. This penalty was part of the same legal case.
Source ↗29 US States Begin Landmark Legal Challenge Against Meta
Lawyers representing 29 US states commenced a landmark legal challenge against Meta. The trial opened in a packed courtroom on Tuesday.
Source ↗US States Accuse Meta of Concealing Teen Addiction Research
Lawyers for 29 US states accused Meta of covering up internal research showing Instagram was addictive for teenagers. They alleged the company knew its products harmed children but hid this information.
Source ↗California AG Megan O’Neill Presents Meta Internal Documents
Megan O’Neill, deputy attorney general for California, referenced internal Meta documents during opening statements. These documents included statements noting that 'Teens are hooked despite how it makes them feel. Instagram is addictive.'
Source ↗States begin trial against Meta in California over youth harms
States have initiated a trial against Meta in California regarding social media harms to children. The lawsuit seeks financial damages and mandated changes to the operation of Facebook and Instagram.
Source ↗29 US states file lawsuit against Meta over platform design
Twenty-nine US states initiated a lawsuit against Meta. The claim alleges that Meta's platforms, Facebook and Instagram, were designed to be deliberately addictive and targeted at children.
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