When Social Media Use Harms Your Child, You Deserve Answers

A social media addiction lawsuit is a claim that families bring. The family believes a platform’s design added to serious harm in a young person.

The process starts when you contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers. First, you have a free, confidential consultation. Next, we review the facts, check the deadlines, and decide on next steps.

This page explains each stage in plain language.

Who This Process Is For

This page is for Florida parents, guardians, and family members. It is for families of a child or teen who has struggled with serious mental-health harm.

You may wonder whether social media played a part. That question is common. You do not have to answer it alone.

You may have noticed changes in mood, sleep, schoolwork, or friendships. Some families also face depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

Social media addiction lawsuits are brought on behalf of young users. The lawsuits allege that social media platforms were designed to be addictive. They allege this design added to serious harm.

That harm includes depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide attempts.

These are allegations. The companies named in the lawsuits dispute them. No outcome is predicted or promised here.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report on social media and youth mental health describes a link between heavy social media use and higher risks of depression and anxiety. A link is not a legal finding of fault.

Whether your child’s situation fits these claims depends on the facts. The lawsuits generally concern children and teens.

CHG Personal Injury Lawyers is a Florida-based firm. Our lawyers are admitted to The Florida Bar. The firm represents clients throughout Florida.

Step 1: Your Free, Confidential First Consultation

Your first step is a free, confidential consultation. You have no obligation to continue.

You do not need a legal background or a folder of records to begin.

During the first call or meeting, you can describe:

• Your child’s situation, in general terms
• A rough timeline of their social media use
• Your family’s goals and questions

These items help, if you have them:

• Approximate dates of key changes or crises
• The platforms and apps your child used
• Names of treating providers
• School or medical records you already hold

You do not need every document before you call. CHG charges no attorney’s fees and no case costs unless there is a recovery.

Step 2: Reviewing the Facts and Records

Our lawyers and staff review what your family shares. Igor Hernandez is the responsible attorney for this page.

Records that often help a review include:

• Screen-time reports or account activity data
• Messages or posts your family saved
• School notices or counselor reports
• Counseling or medical records
• A dated timeline written by the family

Research gives useful context. The CDC’s report on high school students describes statistical links. It connects frequent social media use with bullying, persistent sadness or hopelessness, and suicide risk.

The report covers U.S. high school students in 2023. These are associations. They are not proof of a lawsuit’s claims.

Keep your child’s treatment going. Follow the advice of their doctors while the review happens. Legal review does not replace medical care.

Step 3: Florida Deadlines and Why Timing Matters

Florida sets time limits for filing many civil lawsuits. These legal deadlines are called statutes of limitations. You can read them in the Florida statute of limitations, Fla. Stat. § 95.11.

Some deadlines can pause. This is called tolling. Others can start at different times.

Florida’s tolling rules in § 95.051 include special rules for minors in some situations. A child’s age can affect the clock.

Florida’s timing rules in § 95.031 explain when a claim begins.

These rules are technical. Families should contact the firm promptly. An early deadline review helps. Waiting can narrow your options.

Step 4: How a Social Media Addiction Case Moves Forward

A case usually moves through several stages. These include:

• Intake and review: The firm gathers facts and records from the family.
• Decision: The firm decides with the family whether to proceed.
• Filing: The claim is filed in court.
• Discovery: Each side exchanges information and records.
• Negotiation: The parties discuss resolving the case.
• Trial: Some cases go to trial if they are not resolved.

Each stage has its own tasks and timing. Many cases take months or years. Timelines vary by case and court schedule.

Federal cases can also be grouped together. This is called multidistrict litigation, or MDL.

The firm keeps families informed of major developments that affect their claim.

What Lawsuits Allege About Social Media Companies

Lawsuits allege that certain platform features encourage compulsive use. Examples named in the litigation include:

• Infinite scroll
• Autoplay
• Push notifications
• Engagement-driven recommendations

The lawsuits also allege that companies did not adequately warn young users and parents about the risks.

These are allegations made in the lawsuits, not proven facts. The companies named in the lawsuits deny or contest these allegations.

Keep these points in mind when you read news or advertising about the cases. Allegations are what a lawsuit claims. They are not proven facts until a court or the companies themselves say so.

Shared Handling and Referrals

These cases may be referred to another law firm. They may also be handled together with one.

The firm will tell you when this applies. We explain any shared arrangement to you before you decide anything. The firm you contact stays your point of contact while that explanation happens.

Questions Parents Ask Before Calling

Talk With Our Team About Your Child’s Situation

Many parents first notice changes in mood, sleep, schoolwork, or time online. Then they wonder whether a platform played a role. You do not have to sort that out alone.

Our team can listen to your child’s situation. We can explain the steps and answer your questions.

The consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to continue. Contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers to start the conversation.