The long-running debate over the impact of social media on children’s mental health is moving into the courtroom, as a series of high-profile lawsuits against major technology companies begins this week in the United States.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the first cases will be heard at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, with Meta, TikTok and YouTube facing allegations that their platforms have caused psychological harm to young users.
At the centre of the legal action is a lawsuit filed on behalf of a teenage girl who claims that years of using multiple social media platforms during her childhood contributed to the development of anxiety and depression. Her case is one of dozens filed across the US since 2022, all raising similar concerns about the effect of social media on minors.
The lawsuits allege that social media companies deliberately designed and adjusted their algorithms to keep children hooked, encouraging excessive use and, in turn, worsening mental health outcomes. The tech firms have denied the claims, arguing that the complaints relate to user-generated content, for which they say they are not legally responsible.
The Los Angeles court is expected to examine whether there is a causal link between social media use and conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among children and adolescents.
While some previous studies have suggested that children with more severe mental health challenges may actually spend less time online, experts caution that the relationship between social media and mental health is complex and not yet fully understood. Researchers have repeatedly called for more comprehensive studies to determine how online platforms affect young users.
The legal battle comes amid growing global scrutiny of social media’s impact on children. In Australia, concerns over online harm recently led to a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, while other countries are considering similar restrictions.
If the lawsuits succeed, the court could compel technology companies to redesign aspects of their platforms or expand their legal responsibility for harm suffered by users, potentially reshaping how social networks operate and interact with younger audiences.
