In an era defined by scrolling and swiping, the darker consequences of social media use are finally taking center stage. Social media addiction, once brushed off as a harmless habit, is now recognized by public health experts and legal professionals as a serious threat to the mental well-being of millions especially teens and young adults.
As lawsuits mount against the digital giants behind our favorite platforms, pressure is building to overhaul the tech industry’s approach to user safety. Firms like Anidjar & Levine, known for advocating for victims harmed by negligent systems, are closely monitoring this shift, emphasizing the need for holding tech companies accountable for preventable harm.
The Hidden Epidemic Behind the Screen
According to data from AddictionHelp.com, over 210 million people globally are grappling with some form of social media addiction. In the United States, that’s more than 33 million individuals, or roughly one in ten Americans, who report compulsive social media use.
The numbers are even more concerning for young adults. Among those aged 18 to 22, addiction rates climb to a staggering 40%. Children and teens spend hours per day glued to screens: Common Sense Media reports that teens average over seven hours daily, while tweens (8-12 years old) are clocking in nearly five hours.
This kind of digital immersion doesn’t come without a cost.
Emotional Fallout and Mental Health Decline
The psychological toll of excessive screen time is now undeniable. Teen users report alarming levels of emotional distress linked to social media activity. A Statista study reveals that 70% feel excluded or left out, 43% delete posts for lack of likes, and 35% have experienced cyberbullying.
What’s most alarming? Teens using social media for five or more hours per day are at significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation. This is not just correlation-it’s a call to action.
A review by the American Psychological Association found that among heavy users:
41% report poor or very poor mental health
10% admit to suicidal thoughts
17% struggle with body image issues due to unrealistic beauty standards amplified by social feeds
Not All Users Are Affected Equally
Addiction impacts some demographics more than others. Statista’s 2025 findings show:
40% of adults aged 18-22 report social media addiction
37% of those aged 23-38 experience similar patterns
32% of women report feeling addicted vs just 6% of men
This data suggests that young women, in particular, are disproportionately affected by the mental health consequences of these platforms.
Parental influence plays a major protective role. Among heavy social media users with weak parental relationships, 60% report poor mental health. Meanwhile, users with strong parental support show significantly fewer signs of distress only 2% report suicidal thoughts.
Legal Action: The Tipping Point?
The legal landscape is shifting fast. As of February 2025, over 1,200 lawsuits have been filed against social media companies like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Snap Inc. (Snapchat), ByteDance (TikTok), and Alphabet (YouTube). These lawsuits claim that tech giants designed their platforms to be addictive, knowing the potential harm to mental health-particularly among minors.
In 2023, a federal judge ruled that Meta must face negligence claims. By April 2024, their attempts to dismiss those lawsuits were denied. And in October 2024, 14 state attorneys general sued TikTok for its role in contributing to the mental health crisis among children and teens.
These lawsuits are not just symbolic-they could result in sweeping reforms, including:
Warning labels about mental health risks
Transparency requirements for engagement algorithms
Stronger age restrictions and parental controls
A complete overhaul of “addictive design” practices
What Could Happen Next?
If the lawsuits succeed, we may witness the tech equivalent of Big Tobacco or the opioid reckoning. There’s already talk of regulating AI-powered engagement tools like infinite scroll and autoplay, which many argue exploit psychological vulnerabilities for profit.
Anidjar & Levine, who advocate for consumer justice in high-stakes injury cases, point out that if AI-based algorithms are proven to cause harm, they could be considered “defective products.” That would open the floodgates for product liability claims against the biggest players in tech.
A Path Forward: Safer Tech, Smarter Use
The evidence is clear: social media is shaping a generation’s mental health trajectory, and the consequences are too severe to ignore. Public health experts, attorneys, and lawmakers are calling for meaningful reform.
The future of social media doesn’t have to be dystopian. With greater transparency, ethical design standards, and legal accountability, we can push toward platforms that empower users rather than exploit them.
Until then, legal advocacy groups and firms like Anidjar & Levine remain at the forefront of the fight demanding justice for those harmed, and ensuring this digital epidemic isn’t ignored any longer.
