What You Need To Know About Your Legal Remedies For Social Media Addiction

Let’s be honest. We all depend on social media for one thing or another. Some of us depend on it to stay in touch with far-flung family and friends. Some of us depend on it to promote our businesses. Some of us depend on it for entertainment. For better or worse, some of us depend on it to keep up with the latest national or international news. And sadly, some of us depend on it for affirmation, recognition, and belonging.

The question is, do some people depend on it too much? The experts say, yes. In fact, they say social media addiction is a real phenomenon affecting users in multiple age groups. According to one estimate reported in August 2025, approximately 70 percent of teens and young adults in the United States are addicted to social media. The same estimate indicates that more than half of Americans in the 30 to 49 year old age group are also addicted to social media.

Of course this leads to more questions. Do social media platforms deliberately encourage excessive or unhealthy use? And if so, can users affected by social media addiction take legal action against them?

Keep reading to learn what you need to know about social media addiction and how Van Law Firm may help you pursue legal recourse if you or a loved one is suffering from this type of compulsion.

What Is Social Media Addiction?

Social media addiction occurs when someone who uses one or more social media platforms –including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok – develops “an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use” said platform(s). As a result, he or she then spends so much time on these platform(s) that it adversely affects other parts of his or her life.

Here are some symptoms of this type of addiction:

• Devoting an unusual amount of time to careless scrolling on one or more social media platforms for gratification through keeping up with real time events; or posts that prompt a dopamine release.
• Changes in mood, behavior, and activity due to voluntary or involuntary lack of access to social media.
• Developing a one-sided or “para-social” relationship with social media influencers, athletes, celebrities, or other strangers on social media platforms.
• Spending an unhealthy amount of time – which some experts define as more than four hours per day – on social media.
• Obsessing over creating a “perfect” social media presence to impress, or gain recognition or affirmation from other users who seemingly have flawless lives.
• Engaging in risky activities – such as social media challenges – in order to get praise, recognition, or other positive feedback from other social media users.

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Why Do Some People Become Addicted To Social Media?

As we briefly noted, social media addicts often spend a lot of time seeking out posts on their favorite platforms that make them feel good. Experts say that these are the posts that trigger a chemical response called a dopamine rush.

But what is dopamine? Simply put, it is both a brain-generated hormone and a chemical messenger. As such, it relays messages between nerve cells, and ultimately from the brain throughout the body. By doing so, it affects not only the brain and body, but also various aspects of human behavior.

Of particular relevance here is how dopamine affects the ways in which we experience pleasure and how we reward ourselves. Whenever we derive pleasure from something, we get a “dopamine blast” from our brains. When that happens, we try to replicate the experience by doing the same thing – such as scrolling through social media posts until we find an “interesting” post – or posting material that receives lots of “likes” over and over again.

On top of that, social media platforms have traditionally relied on computer programs called algorithms to encouraged prolonged use. These programs work by continuously providing content tailored to each user by tracking each one’s interactions on prior posts. In other words, the program detects when you have liked, commented on or shared a post, and then provides similar content.

Can Social Media Companies Be Held Legally Responsible For Creating Addiction To Their Platforms?

Experts say social media use can get out of control when casual use of one or more platforms becomes a way to deal with personal problems such as stress, loneliness or depression.

This happens when vulnerable users get feedback from social media that they don’t get in real life. The more gratification they get, the more they turn to social media as a way to avoid their troubles. The more they do so, the more likely they are to neglect real-life relationships and obligations such as work or school. In some cases, social media addicts may even neglect their physical and emotional health. This in turn affects their mood, which triggers even more dependence on social media.

But are social media companies legally responsible for creating environments conducive to addiction and the harm stemming from it? Some say the answer is “yes.” In recent years, several lawsuits have been filed against various social media platforms alleging that the companies that run them deliberately put young users in harm’s way by focusing on “engagement and profit” instead of safety.

In addition to creating environments that promote prolonged and obsessive usage, plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege that social media platforms make harmful content available to at risk users. Exposure to this content in turn causes or exacerbates depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and even suicidal ideation, the lawsuits allege.

You may have a viable social media addiction case that allows you to join an ongoing class action lawsuit if all of the following apply to you or your child:

• Social media use began between the ages of 8 and 18;
• The affected person used apps such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat;
• The affected person spent more than three hours per day on the platform; and
• The affected person is currently or was receiving injuries caused by using said platform.

Depending on the circumstances, you may have other legal options. Contact the social media addiction attorneys at Van Law Firm to schedule a free assessment. Based on our findings, we will share all of the ways in which you may be able to pursue legal recourse. That way you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.