Millions of people have become addicted to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat among others. Unfortunately, a big percentage of those addicted to these platforms are young adults and children. Social media addiction can be very dangerous to these vulnerable users, and it increases the risk of developing depression, eating disorders, and even committing suicide. Currently, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok are facing a lawsuit that claims they not only designed but also implemented algorithms to keep users longer on their platforms and promote addictive behavior, especially among teenagers, young adults, and even children.
Addiction in Teens
Addiction to these online communication platforms is regarded as a type of behavioral addiction and can negatively influence the user’s brain, behavior, and mental health. Adolescents and children have a higher risk of developing an addiction to these platforms because they are still establishing their sense of identity and can be easily influenced by the algorithm. Unfortunately, the harm of being addicted to the platforms does not only arise from needing more validation or likes. For example, when Facebook hid the like feature on their platform, the well-being of teenagers did not improve.
Therefore, this shows several other elements in the apps can negatively affect the mental health of adolescents, including cyberbullying, making lifestyle comparisons, and experiencing the fear of missing out (FOMO).
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The effects of being addicted to these apps
Some of the common side effects that children and teens who are addicted to these apps may experience include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, difficulty focusing, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. In addition, addiction can cause insomnia, sexual exploitation, body dysmorphia, and injuries or death from doing TikTok challenges.
Can I file a lawsuit?
You can file a lawsuit against the companies if you or your child is addicted to using online platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or TikTok. In addition, if you or your child has suffered psychological harm by being addicted to the platforms and if the addiction started before the age of 25, then you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.
How to file the lawsuit
If you want the process of filing the lawsuit to be simple, you should work with social media lawyers at Douglas & London in New York City who can handle the whole legal process so you can focus on your well-being and that of your loved ones. The attorney will verify that you are eligible to take legal action, find evidence to build your case, file the lawsuit before any legal deadline and negotiate the settlement with the defendant. Your attorney and the defendants may agree on the compensation amount, without proceeding to trial. However, if your case proceeds to trial, a judge or jury can determine the outcome of your case through a verdict.
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Conclusion
To conclude, young adults and teenagers who suffered mental health issues because of being addicted to these apps may be eligible to pursue a claim and seek monetary compensation. Therefore, the young adults and the parents or guardians of the children can contact attorneys who can evaluate their cases and advise them on the next action to take.