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Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Tennessee

Is Social Media Hurting Your Child? Join the Fight for Justice with 615 Lawyer

Is your child spending hours glued to screens and scrolling through social media feeds? Have you noticed changes in their mood, sleep patterns, or grades? Social media addiction is a growing concern among children and teenagers, with devastating consequences for their mental and physical health. Tennessee Attorney George Angelopoulos is representing families in a groundbreaking social media addiction lawsuit against TikTok, Facebook, Instagram along with other social media giants for their role in creating addictive platforms that harm young users.

Social media addiction lawsuits claim that companies like Meta, who owns social media sites Facebook and Instagram, intentionally designed algorithms and specific social media features to addict users. Tennessee Social Media Addiction Lawyers claim companies like Facebook and Instagram knew of the harm, but prioritized shareholder profits over your children. Call 615-422-7171 to start your free case evaluation today.

The Hidden Dangers of Social Media for Children

Social media can seem harmless, but its impact on developing brains can be profound. It can lead to:

  • Mental Health Issues: Increased risk of depression, anxiety, cyberbullying, body image issues, and eating disorders.
  • Sleep Deprivation: Interference with sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and academic problems.
  • Addiction: Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, triggering the release of dopamine and creating a cycle of reward and craving.
  • Social Isolation: Neglecting real-life relationships and activities, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  • Exposure to Harmful Content: Children can easily encounter inappropriate content, hate speech, and online predators

615 Lawyer: Fighting for Your Child’s Future

TN Attorney George Angelopoulos understands the profound impact social media addiction can have on children and families. He is dedicated to holding social media companies accountable for their harmful practices and securing compensation for the damages they have caused. This includes:

  • Medical Expenses: Therapy, counseling, and treatment for mental and physical health issues.
  • Educational Support: Tutoring, special education services, and interventions for academic setbacks.
  • Lost Opportunities: Compensation for missed extracurricular activities, social events, and academic achievements.
  • Pain and Suffering: Financial compensation for emotional distress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Punitive Damages: Additional compensation to deter social media companies from further harmful practices.

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How Social Media Companies Target Children

Social media companies intentionally design their platforms to hook young users. They use:

  • Captivating Visuals: Bright colors, animations, and auto-play videos to grab attention.
  • Personalized Algorithms: Tailoring content to each user’s interests to keep them engaged.
  • Reward Systems: Likes, comments, and shares provide instant gratification and validation.
  • Gamification: Features like streaks, challenges, and rewards create a sense of competition and urgency.
  • Endless Scrolling: Removing natural stopping points to encourage continuous use.

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Why you should contact 615 Lawyer for Your Social Media Lawsuit

Attorney George Angelopoulos is a Tennessee father and takes harm to children personally. For too long, these social media giants have put profits over the safety of our kids. 615 Lawyer works with top litigation firms to help you hold these companies accountable for any harm caused to you or your family.

We have a long history of fighting against large companies and have recovered hundreds of millions in cases against corporations. We know what it takes and are willing to go to trial to hold these social media companies accountable for the harm they caused you.

History of Social Media Addiction Lawsuits

The emergence of social media addiction lawsuits is a phenomenon that started in the late 2010s and early 2020s as concerns about the negative impact of social media on mental health intensified. Initially, individual lawsuits were filed against specific platforms, alleging negligence, product liability, and failure to warn of potential harms. However, the landscape shifted in 2022 with the formation of multi district litigation (MDL), consolidating hundreds of cases against major social media companies like Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Snap (Snapchat), ByteDance (TikTok), and Google (YouTube) under one federal court. These lawsuits allege that the companies knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive, particularly to children and adolescents, leading to a range of mental health issues and even suicide. As of July 2024, the MDL is ongoing, with legal battles focusing on issues like causation, Section 230 immunity, and the extent of social media companies’ liability.

For years, social media companies fought against regulations and downplayed the potential for harm, especially to minors. However, we are now seeing 2023 Social Media Addiction Legislation which is a positive sign that our leaders are recognizing the harm.

What is social media addiction?

Social media addiction, also known as problematic social media use, is behavior characterized by excessive preoccupation with social media platforms. Social media addiction is fueled by the release of dopamine by the brain’s reward system. This can create an uncontrollable urge to use them, and continued use despite consequences on various aspects of life. It’s akin to a compulsion or loss of control, where individuals feel driven to check updates, posts, or notifications even when it interferes with their work, studies, relationships, sleep, or overall well-being. This excessive use often stems from the platforms’ design elements that trigger reward pathways in the brain, leading to a cycle of craving and temporary gratification.

What are people claiming in their social media addiction lawsuits?

In social media addiction lawsuits, plaintiffs are primarily claiming that social media companies knowingly designed their platforms to be addictive, particularly to vulnerable users like children and adolescents. They allege that these companies intentionally incorporated features and algorithms that exploit psychological vulnerabilities, leading to excessive use and negative consequences for mental and physical health. Specific claims often include:

  • Product Liability: That social media platforms are inherently defective and unreasonably dangerous due to their addictive design.
  • Negligence: That social media companies failed to warn users, especially minors, about the potential risks of addiction and mental harm.
  • Fraudulent Misrepresentation: That companies concealed or downplayed the addictive nature of their platforms and the potential negative consequences.
  • Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: That companies acted recklessly or intentionally, knowing their products could cause severe emotional harm.

Plaintiffs are seeking various forms of compensation, including:

  • Medical Expenses: Costs related to therapy, counseling, and treatment for mental health issues.
  • Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work or school due to addiction.
  • Pain and Suffering: Financial compensation for emotional distress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Punitive Damages: Additional compensation to punish social media companies for their harmful conduct and deter them from future misconduct.

Who is eligible to file a social media addiction claim?

While it’s clear that social media addiction has caused harm to countless users, not everyone qualifies to file this type of lawsuit. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit for social media addiction if you or your child:

  • May be addicted to social media, including Facebook, Instagram TikTok, or Snapchat; AND
  • Under the age of 27 when the addiction started; AND
  • Have a medical or psychological diagnosis with any of the following: Severe Anxiety; Depression; Self-harm or body mutilation; Body dysmorphia; Eating disorders like Bulimia or Anorexia; OR Suicide / Attempted Suicide.
  • For minors experiencing early onset may be included with a ‘school counselor’.

If you think you qualify to file a social media lawsuit or were harmed by addiction to a social media site, call George today at 615-422-7171 for a free consultation. We will walk through the specific criteria for filing a case and help you better understand the legal options available to you.

How much is my social media addiction case worth?

The potential value of a social media addiction case is difficult to determine definitively as it depends on several factors, including:

  1. Severity of Harm: The more severe the negative consequences of the addiction (e.g., hospitalization, suicide attempt, significant lost wages, severe mental health disorders), the higher the potential value of the case.
  2. Age of the Plaintiff: Cases involving children or adolescents may be valued higher due to the perceived vulnerability of young users and the potential for long-term harm.
  3. Strength of Evidence: The amount and quality of evidence linking the social media use to the harm suffered will significantly impact the case value. This includes medical records, expert testimony, and proof of the platform’s addictive design.
  4. Jurisdiction: The laws and precedents in the jurisdiction where the case is filed can influence the potential damages awarded.
  5. Outcome of the MDL: The overall outcome of the multidistrict litigation against social media companies will likely set precedents and influence individual case values.

While there have been no settlements reached in social media addiction lawsuits as of July 2024, legal experts estimate that individual case values could range widely.

  • Less Severe Cases: Settlements for cases involving less severe harm, like self-harm or diagnosed eating disorders, could range from $10,000 to over $100,000.
  • More Severe Cases: Cases with major injuries like suicide attempts or severe mental health disorders could potentially reach settlements of $1.5 million or more.

How to File a Social Media Lawsuit

While pursuing a case against massive corporations like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat may seem overwhelming, George is here to help. We work with top litigation firms to handle every step of your case, including:

  • Analyze your claim for its potential success
  • Handle the document preparation and filing
  • Ensure you meet any deadlines that may apply
  • Plead your case in court
  • Negotiate settlement offers
  • Advise you on your legal options

While you are not required to hire a social media lawsuit attorney, there are numerous advantages to hiring qualified legal representation. To get started on your lawsuit, call 615 Lawyer today.