Archive · 28 Jan 2026
US Lawsuit Highlights Social Media Addiction Concerns
A 19-year-old girl and her mom are suing big social media companies like TikTok, Meta, and YouTube.
They say these apps were made to be super addictive and hurt the girl's mental health.
The mom tried to stop her daughter from using them, but the apps had ways to get around her controls.
Experts say too much social media can make kids feel bad, lose track of time, and even feel lonely.
Some countries are trying to ban social media for kids, but experts think teaching kids and parents how to use it safely is better than a total ban.
A 19-year-old and her mother are suing Meta, TikTok, and YouTube for allegedly designing addictive features that harmed the teenager's mental health.
The lawsuit claims the platforms enabled children to evade parental controls and led to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Experts warn that social media overuse impacts children's physical, mental, and emotional health, often leading to behavioral issues.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines 'problematic social media use' as behavior marked by addiction-like symptoms.
Countries like Australia have banned social media for children under 16, while France is considering similar measures.
- Who
- A 19-year-old woman (KGM) and her mother (Karen Glenn) are suing Meta, TikTok, and YouTube.
- What
- The lawsuit alleges that social media platforms were designed to be addictive, harming the teenager's mental health.
- When
- The lawsuit is ongoing in 2024.
- Where
- The case is being heard in Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- The plaintiffs aim to establish legal recognition of 'social media addiction' and hold tech giants accountable for their influence on young users.
- Plaintiffs
- 19-year-old KGM and her mother Karen Glenn
- Defendants
- Meta, TikTok, and YouTube
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Expert Consulted
- Dr. Pulkit Sharma, clinical psychologist
- WHO Report
- 2024 report on problematic social media use
- Countries with Bans
- Australia (under 16), France (in progress)