health
February 9, 2026
Social media companies are being sued for harming their users’ mental health
Experts say the term ‘addiction’ is be overused and, for social media use, could be difficult to prove
TL;DR
- Lawsuits against Meta and YouTube allege severe mental health damage to children, with addiction as a precursor to harms like depression and suicide.
- Legal proceedings are referred to as 'social media addiction trials,' but the addictive nature of these platforms is scientifically debated.
- Experts prefer terms like 'problematic use' or 'use disorders' over 'addiction,' finding the latter term overused and difficult to scientifically prove for social media.
- Plaintiffs allege platforms use techniques similar to slot machines and the tobacco industry to keep users engaged.
- While social media features like endless scroll are designed to retain users, their contribution to addiction is complex and potentially bidirectional with mental health.
- Meta has faced accusations of burying research suggesting a link between pausing Facebook use and improved mental health symptoms.
- Brain imaging research shows excessive social media use associated with brain differences similar to excessive gambling, which is a recognized behavioral disorder linked to addiction.
- The DSM distinguishes between substance-use disorders and behavioral disorders, with the latter generally not causing irreversible brain damage.
- Withdrawal symptoms from social media are typically less intense than those from substance addictions.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 'problematic use' due to social media's mixed impacts, including benefits like information sharing and connection.
- Despite hesitation to use the 'addiction' label, many organizations acknowledge social media's potential harm to minors and call for regulation.
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