TikTok Lawsuit

What TikTok lawsuits have been filed?

Plaintiffs from across the country have filed lawsuits against TikTok and other social media companies. Currently, there are two main categories of cases:

1. Individual personal injury lawsuits: These cases are typically filed by parents and guardians of children who have been harmed by social media apps like TikTok. They can also be filed by people who are now adults but began using TikTok as children. Common harms experienced by these plaintiffs include a decline in mental health and development of body image issues.
2. School district lawsuits: These cases are filed by school districts that have had to shoulder increased costs because their students are compulsively using social media. These include the costs of hiring additional counsellors and safety officers, as well as property damage to the schools themselves.

Dozens of state attorneys general have also filed lawsuits against TikTok. Like the personal injury and school district lawsuits, the attorneys general allege that TikTok and other social media apps were designed to be addictive to children and that the companies misled the public about the harm they were causing.

How does TikTok harm mental health?

TikTok’s algorithm is designed to entice children into watching TikTok for long stretches of time, even if they only want to stay on for a few minutes. The longer a child stays on TikTok, the more revenue the platform can generate from them.

But studies have shown that the more time a teenager spends on social media, the more likely that teen will become depressed. Young people are particularly vulnerable to social media addiction because the structure of their brains is still developing.

In addition to depression, social media addiction has been linked to:

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

Need help?

If you or a loved one shows signs of being suicidal, call the United States National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. This free, confidential call will connect you with a trained staff member. You can also visit their website: 988lifeline.org.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of disordered eating, you can contact the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). The toll-free number is 1-800-931-2237, and the website is www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Who is eligible to file a lawsuit against TikTok?

Parents of children and teenagers who have experienced a mental health crisis or exploitation due to TikTok may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Adults who developed mental health conditions after using TikTok as children may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against the platform.

Our attorneys can help you determine if you are eligible to file a TikTok lawsuit. They can also help you gather relevant information, answer questions about the relevant state laws and statutes of limitations for a social media lawsuit and file a claim.

 Contact a TikTok attorney

You may be eligible to file a claim if you or your child has suffered with the detrimental effects of using social media platforms like TikTok.

Contact Motley Rice for more information about a social media lawsuit.

Contact a lawyer today

Frequently asked questions about TikTok lawsuits

Can I file a TikTok lawsuit?

If you are an adult who used the platform as a child and developed a mental health condition because of it, you may be eligible to file a TikTok mental health lawsuit. If you are the parent of a child or teenager who was similarly harmed, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against TikTok.

An attorney can help you sort through the facts of your case and explain your options.

What does compensation from a social media lawsuit cover?

A lawsuit against social media could cover both “economic” and “non-economic” losses. Economic losses can include:

• Medical treatments
• Lost wages
• Current and ongoing therapy
• Benefits for wrongful death

Non-economic losses can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional damage
• Loss of quality of life

Our experience helping families and children

Motley Rice attorneys have worked for decades to seek justice for children and families harmed by corporations, including technology and social media companies. If you need help filing a lawsuit related to TikTok’s effect on the mental health of yourself or a loved one, our law firm can assist.