Can I sue TikTok?

You can sue ByteDance for mental health harms by joining the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the company. It’s designated In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3047.

Keep in mind, these lawsuits focus on how TikTok harmed minors. These lawsuits are not for people who developed mental health harms after using the app as adults.

An MDL consolidates similar cases into one legal action for pre-trial matters. Unlike a class action lawsuit, which is another way to consolidate similar lawsuits, cases in an MDL are still treated as individual lawsuits. The MDL includes lawsuits alleging harms from TikTok and other social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat.

The court is still accepting new cases in the MDL. Consulting a social media harm lawyer can help you determine your eligibility. An attorney can also help you gather evidence and explore your legal options.

Suggested reading: What is Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)?

People are suing TikTok for social media use that harmed their mental or physical health. Plaintiffs allege that TikTok and other social media platforms have design features that lead to problematic use and ultimately cause mental and physical harm. Some may call this “social media addiction,” but legal experts liken it more to a pattern of overuse that interferes with a person’s normal life.

The lawsuits in the social media mental health MDL don’t focus on harmful content. They focus on dangers inherent in the social media apps’ design. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields social media platforms from legal liability for third-party content.

Plaintiffs in the MDL have filed personal injury claims seeking compensation for damages such as:

• Emotional distress
• Medical expenses

Suggested reading: Types of damages in a lawsuit

Self-harm and TikTok

Some people, especially teen and pre-teen girls, may develop self-harming behaviors associated with social media use. Research shows that increased time online can be linked to negative self-perception, especially concerning weight and the ideal body type. Some studies indicate that social media use made body image issues worse for one in three teenage girls.

Eating disorders may be connected to cutting and suicidal ideation or actions.

Need to talk now?

Are you struggling with self-harm or suicidal thoughts? The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available by calling 988 you can also use their live chat via their website.

If you or a loved one need help with disordered eating, contact the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) at their toll-free phone number: 1-800-931-2237 or visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Suggested reading: Dangers of Social Media for Youth

Three main groups are filing lawsuits against TikTok and other social media companies in the MDL:

• Parents of harmed minors: Parents or guardians of minors (anyone under 18 years old) who’ve experienced harm from using TikTok may be able to file a lawsuit for the harm done to their child. Parents may also be able to sue for personal emotional distress in some situations.
• Adults harmed as minors: If you are an adult (between the ages of 18 and 25 years old depending on the jurisdiction of where you live) who was harmed by social media as a minor, you could be eligible to file a TikTok lawsuit.
• Government agencies or school districts: Government agencies and school districts are suing, alleging increased costs associated with the ongoing teen mental health crisis. They are also suing for property damages related to social media challenges.

Lawsuits filed on behalf of harmed children and their families allege that TikTok's design and features make it unsafe for kids. Researchers have found the following mental health conditions associated with problematic social media use, especially for younger users:

• Anxiety
• Body image issues
• Depression
• Insomnia

These mental health conditions are serious and may lead to long-term harm and emotional damage.

ByteDance also faces other lawsuits that aren’t part of the social media mental health MDL. These are related to issues such as discrimination and data collection.

Why are schools suing TikTok?

Schools and government entities are alleging financial harm from social media sites. Schools often act as the first step in mental health care for students in crisis. The uptick in the need for mental health counseling in schools is just one of the cost increases schools face as a result of problematic use of social media by students.

Some of the reasons local governments and schools are suing social media platforms include:

• Additional training for teachers and staff to recognize signs of a mental health crisis
• Budget increases for curriculum changes to accommodate varying learning and mental health needs
• Hiring of additional staff to provide mental health counseling
• Hiring of additional staff to deal with increases in disciplinary actions
• Property damage resulting from video challenges or other platform-related physical damage
• Use of school funds to investigate threats to the school, district or individuals

How TikTok harms plaintiffs

People allege that the platform and its features are intentionally designed to encourage frequent engagement. Designers allegedly do this to increase ad revenue by keeping users on the app. TikTok overuse can lead to negative mental health consequences, especially for minors targeted by the app.

According to researchers, problematic social media use results from feedback loops the apps create. Users gain friends and receive likes, which releases “happy hormones” like serotonin and dopamine. The feeling is like giving or receiving a gift. This fills a kid’s need to be accepted by others.

This type of dopamine release can become addictive, resulting in overuse of the apps. Social media apps use techniques similar to slot machines to keep account holders’ attention.

Motley Rice attorneys have worked for decades to protect children and families against corporations that have harmed them. This includes social media and technology companies. If you need help filing a lawsuit based on mental health problems or other damages related to social media, we may be able to help.

Read more about our experience with social media lawsuits.