Once hailed as a technology that could connect people and democratise information, it is now under increasing legal fire.
More than two decades after social media revolutionised online communication, leading technology firms including Meta, the parent firm of Facebook and Instagram; Google-owned YouTube; Snapchat; TikTok; Discord; and Roblox are facing thousands of lawsuits in the U.S. Many of the cases involve claims that platform design features might be contributing to harms experienced by young users.
Legal experts say the outcome of such cases could have ramifications far beyond the companies involved, potentially shaping future regulations, platform policies and industry standards.
“It’s created a stage that not only legal observers are watching, but regulators and lawmakers are watching closely as well,” said Eric Talley, a professor at Columbia Law School.
Litigation is rising, and that could affect public opinion and even policy discussions around online safety and tech regulation in the years to come, Talley said.
Several major technology companies are based in California, where many of the cases are being heard. Legal observers frequently reference the so-called "California effect," when policy and regulation developments in the state can ripple across the country in setting standards. "There is no longer any denying that there is a child safety issue on the platforms," said Alexis Shore Ingber, a communications law expert and professor at Syracuse University. We are at an inflection point. These cases are important."
Some lawsuits have already produced major verdicts. Earlier this year, a jury awarded $6 million in damages, collectively, from Meta and YouTube to a young woman, saying that social media addiction during her childhood caused mental and emotional health issues. Both companies said they disagreed with the verdict and plan to appeal.
Meta also suffered another legal blow in New Mexico, where the state’s attorney general accused the company of misleading the public about the safety of its platforms for children, despite concerns about risks of exploitation. Meta has said it plans to appeal that ruling, too.
The litigation has moved forward; the company has released a series of safety-focused updates for younger users. But experts say future court decisions and regulatory action could be the tipping point for broader changes in platform design, content moderation and youth protections.
Other claims could come from young users, their parents, school districts and state officials in the next year. The lawsuits pose questions about platform responsibility, user safety, advertising practices and the potential impact of social media on children and adolescents.
Cases that are drawing attention are those that could set legal precedents for how courts will look at platform design, user engagement features, and corporate responsibility in the digital age.
Legal analyst Adam J. Schwartz said a number of pending cases could be bellwethers that will determine the future of online gaming and social media litigation.
As lawsuits make their way through the courts, the results could help decide how social media platforms operate, how they protect younger users, and what legal liabilities tech companies might face in the future.
