Are Social Media Algorithms Creating Foreseeable Harm to Users?
Although the hours spent scrolling through Facebook or Instagram may seem harmless, they can have a negative impact on a teenager’s emotional and cognitive health. These websites often contain harmful content that preys on users’ insecurities while altering dopamine pathways, similar to a substance addiction. Constant exposure to social media has been shown to compromise a person’s decision-making abilities while increasing his or her emotional sensitivity.
If your child or family member has experienced anxiety, depression, or body image issues after constant use of social media, our Lancaster personal injury attorneys would like to speak with you.
A Landmark Verdict Against Meta and Google
In March 2026, a California jury found Meta and Google negligent for their role in a young woman’s depression and anxiety, awarding $6 million in damages. The plaintiff began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at 11, and testified that compulsive use of both platforms contributed to body dysmorphia, social withdrawal, and an inability to focus at school.
What made this verdict significant was the legal strategy behind it. Rather than challenging the content users see on social media, plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that the platforms themselves were defectively designed and built with features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and constant notifications specifically engineered to keep young users hooked. That product liability approach allowed the legal team to sidestep Section 230, the federal law that has long shielded tech companies from liability over user-generated content.
The jury found Meta responsible for 70 percent of the $6 million award. Both companies have vowed to appeal. The case is considered a bellwether tied to approximately 2,000 other pending lawsuits brought by parents and school districts making similar claims and follows a separate New Mexico verdict one day earlier ordering Meta to pay $375 million for failing to protect minors from predators on its platforms.
For personal injury victims, this verdict is a meaningful signal that tech companies can be held accountable when their products cause demonstrable harm, and that the legal approach to digital product liability is shifting.
Social Media Addiction Leads to Psychological Distress
Social media algorithms are designed to pull people into their sites. No matter what platform, the user may continue scrolling from one post to the next, spending hours in front of their phone or tablet. The compulsive need to keep scrolling for hours is known as social media addiction. Social media stimulates the brain’s pleasure center, with likes, comments, or views making users feel high (very similar to an alcohol or drug addiction). Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to social media addiction, making them more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and behavior changes.
Impact on Cognitive Function
Constant social media use has been proven to create changes in the prefrontal cortex, impairing cognitive function. Cognitive impairments often include disinhibition, emotional dysregulation, memory issues, trouble with self-monitoring, and decreased time management skills. Adolescents driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO) may stay on their phones up until bedtime. Screen time within one to two hours of bed decreases the body’s production of melatonin, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Teenagers require adequate sleep to support neurological function and overall emotional stability. A teenager who is not getting between eight to 10 hours of sleep per night is at an increased risk of suffering from anxiety, depression, and significant mood changes.
Increased Dopamine Release
Social media algorithms flash personalized content that makes users want to remain online for hours on end. By analyzing user data, likes, shares, and viewed posts, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms personalize your video feed. This personalized content causes an increased release of dopamine, creating a sense of pleasure. In turn, users are motivated to continue scrolling to feel the same sense of reward. Given this vicious cycle, users favor this instant gratification over working toward long-term goals.
Potential Damages in a Social Media Lawsuit
No matter what legislation is passed to protect consumers, our legal team is prepared to highlight the harm that social media has caused your child and the losses that your family has suffered. While social media has a profound impact on children and adolescents, it can certainly take an emotional and cognitive toll on adults. Potential damages in a social media lawsuit may include psychotherapy costs, antidepressant expenses, and other medical expenses, as well as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Adults may be able to claim these damages, as well as lost income and loss of earning capacity. If you are unsure of what compensation you may be entitled to, it is important that you reach out to our legal team.
Contact Our Lancaster Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a family member has been affected by the negative influences of social media, HGSK Injury Lawyers would like to help. With over $500 million recovered for personal injury victims, we have the knowledge, skills, and experience to recover maximum compensation on your behalf. You should not suffer financial, physical, or psychological harm due to a social media website’s lack of compassion for its users. To schedule your free consultation with one of our Lancaster personal injury attorneys, our office can be reached online or by calling (267) 551-8782 today.