Dangers of Social Media for Youth

A majority of U.S. adolescents (children aged 13 – 18) use social media every day. For some, use of social media can become problematic or compulsive, with potentially dangerous consequences. Particularly problematic are YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, the most popular social media platforms among young people.

A 2021 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, describes the risks and dangers associated with social media use.

“The challenges today’s generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate.” Murthy wrote. “And the effect these challenges have had on their mental health is devastating.”

Particularly problematic are:

• YouTube
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• The Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook

These are the most popular social media platforms among young people.

The Surgeon General’s advisory described several negative effects of social media, including:

• Anxiety
• Body dissatisfaction (body image issues)
• Depression
• Exposure to bullies
• Low self-esteem
• Poor mental health, contributing to development of eating disorders
• Poor sleep habits
• Self-harm
• Social comparison

Studies show teens who spend more than three hours daily on social media platforms are more likely to develop mental health issues.

Other negative effects of harmful online experiences

Social media platforms thrive on extended sessions by their users. As a result, social media companies have developed technology that encourages users to engage in compulsive and continuous use of their apps.

Learn more about the effects of social media on teens.

The amount of time spent on social media is not just spent scrolling through a platform’s feed. Young people may also interact with other users, and cyberbullying is also a risk for teens online. Researchers have found that “between 10% and 40% of teens will experience cyberbullying."

Other studies have found cyberbullying may contribute to self-harm, depression and suicidal behaviors. One study reported that “cyberbullying is associated with higher levels of depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempt[ed suicide] for both the victim and the perpetrator.” A San Diego State University study also found teens who use social media and smartphones for over five hours a day are at 66% higher risk of engaging in suicidal behavior.

Help for self-harm and suicidal behavior

If you or a loved one are in crisis, national resources can help immediately.

• You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. This free and confidential call will connect you with a trained staff member. You can also visit their website: 988lifeline.org.
• You can contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) toll-free number at 1-800-931-2237. The association’s website can also direct you to resources at NationalEatingDisorders.org.

Trained professionals can help kids who are experiencing mental health concerns. Minors may also be eligible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for social media mental health harms.

As of April 1, 2025, 1,745 individuals and government agencies have filed lawsuits against social media companies. To handle the volume and similarity of these cases, the federal courts have organized them into a single mass tort called a multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket. The social media mental health harm MDL is designated as In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3047.

Individual lawsuits

People are filing individual lawsuits against social media companies alleging features of social networking apps caused them or their children to develop mental health issues from overuse. Various features – such as autoscrolling, image filters and notifications – fostered the problematic use of social networking apps which allegedly led to mental health problems in children and adolescents.

Individuals who have filed lawsuits in the MDL include:

• Parents or legal guardians suing on behalf of a child who was harmed by social media. Harms may include mental health problems, self-harm and suicidal ideation
• Adults (18 or older) who were harmed as minors (17 or younger) filing lawsuits on their own behalf

School district lawsuits

School districts have filed lawsuits in the federal MDL.

Attorneys representing school districts allege the features of social media platforms:

• Cause a financial burden for schools and their employees
• Disrupt lesson plans by harming students’ mental health and reducing their attention spans
• Stress the limited mental health resources available to students

Motley Rice represents some of the school districts in the MDL.

State and local government agencies

Local government agencies consider themselves “first responders” in providing youth mental health resources. They allege social media companies’ conduct has further burdened their resources and compromised their ability to meet the public’s needs.

Youth and teen mental health issues have also led to property damage. State, regional, and local government agencies bear the costs of addressing that damage.

Our attorneys at Motley Rice have worked for decades fighting for people and families. We have experience dealing with technology and media companies.

• We have filed lawsuits on behalf of people harmed by Instagram.
• Motley Rice lawyer Previn Warren has been appointed as co-lead counsel for the National lawsuit on social media harm.

If you need help filing a lawsuit for Instagram or Facebook harms, our law firm can help. Your well-being, and the wellbeing of all your loved ones is important to our team.

Please also contact a doctor, mental health professional, and/or crisis hotline if you need immediate help dealing with the negative impacts of social media.