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Social Media Harm

For the young people the platforms failed to protect.

We represent families of children and teens harmed by addictive social media platforms — cases of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, sextortion, and suicide tied to the deliberate design of the apps they used every day.

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Social Media Harm — Paul Mankin, APC

What it means

Social media harm, in plain English.

The largest social platforms — Meta's Instagram and Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube — were built to keep young users on the app as long as possible. When those design choices caused foreseeable harm to a child or teen, the companies can be held to the same product-liability standards as any other manufacturer. Federal cases are consolidated in MDL 3047 (N.D. Cal.); California state cases are coordinated in JCCP 5255.

Product, not speech

The claim targets addictive design features — infinite scroll, algorithmic feeds, notifications — not user content.

Foreseeable harm

Internal research showed the platforms understood the mental-health risk to minors.

Documented injury

A diagnosis, hospitalization, or death connected to heavy adolescent use of a named platform.

Matters we handle

Focused matters within this practice.

Each page below is written in plain language — the background, what's known, the injuries reported, and where the case currently stands.

Current focusActive MDL

Meta — Instagram & Facebook

Read the case page

Meta's own internal research — surfaced by the Facebook Files disclosures — showed the company understood Instagram's impact on teen mental health, particularly body image and self-harm ideation in girls. Claims proceed against Meta in MDL 3047 and JCCP 5255.

Active MDL

TikTok

TikTok's For You Page algorithm has been tied to compulsive use in minors and to the amplification of self-harm, eating disorder, and 'blackout challenge' content. Cases are consolidated alongside the other platforms in MDL 3047 and JCCP 5255.

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Active intake

Snapchat

Snapchat's disappearing-message design, Snap Map, and Quick Add features have been central to sextortion schemes and to fentanyl and counterfeit pill sales that have killed teens across the country. Claims proceed against Snap Inc. in MDL 3047 and in individual state actions.

Read more

Do I have a case?

A quick, honest self-check.

If most of these describe your situation, it's worth a phone call — even if the answer is that we're not the right firm for you.

  • The user was a minor (generally under 18) during the period of heavy platform use.

  • There is a diagnosis, hospitalization, or death you can connect to the platform use.

  • You can identify the platforms the child used and the approximate years of use.

  • The claim is within the applicable statute of limitations (tolling may apply for minors).

Frequently asked

Questions answered plainly.

Free · Confidential · No obligation

Not sure if you have a case? Start with a conversation.

Tell us what happened, at your pace. We'll listen, answer honestly, and — if we can help — begin quietly, right away.

Request consultation800-219-3577