Over the past decade, the use of social media platforms by young and vulnerable children has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, the rise in popularity of these platforms and their use has increased concerns about the links between social media and mental health and addictions-related issues, including self-harm, suicidal ideation and eating disorders, specifically among young people.
What is the claim about?
Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP alongside a leading American law firm are reviewing allegations that multiple social media platforms operated by Meta/Facebook, including Instagram and Snapchat, intentionally and deliberately designed their social media platforms without regard to the safety of children. HSH and MR are reviewing allegations that Instagram and Snapchat’s respective parent companies Facebook Inc. (Meta):
- Created algorithms designed to addict children and lead them to increasingly provocative images that often promote eating disorders, addiction, youth harm, suicidal tendencies, suicide attempts and suicide;
- Marketed themselves as safe for children over 14, while knowing that their software programs were particularly dangerous to adolescent and teenage girls;
- Failed to warn parents or social media users of the known negative health effects associated with use of their platforms; and,
- Failed to verify the ages of users, allowing many children under 13 to access their platforms based simply on their self-reported birthday.
Who is eligible?
If you or your child attempted or died by suicide, suffered from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide ideation, or addiction that you believe was worsened due to social media, know that our thoughts are with you and your family.
Members of the legal team at HSH are available to speak to families from all provinces and territories in a free, no-obligation virtual meeting or call, where you can learn about your legal options.
Call us today at 1-877-771-7006 or email pmiller@hshlawyers.com. You can also directly email or call any of the lawyers listed below.
How do these types of proceedings typically work?
Mass tort actions are generally funded through contingency fee agreements, which means a plaintiff to an action does not have to pay expenses related to the case out of pocket while it works its way through the legal system. Instead, legal representatives only receive compensation (a portion of the award) if the action is successful. This means there is substantially less risk for plaintiffs and it can significantly enhance access to justice.
Unlike class action lawsuits, where the representative plaintiff pursues the claim on behalf of the class members, mass tort actions allows for plaintiffs to pursue their cases individually. These plaintiffs may have different interests and assessments of individual damages may vary.
Resources
If you or a loved one is struggling with suicide ideation, you should know that free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the Canadian Talk Suicide hotline 1-833-456-4566, text 45645 4:00 p.m. to midnight ET. Visit their website online at https://talksuicide.ca/.
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) is also available online at https://nedic.ca/ or by phone toll-free at 1-866-633-4220.
News Coverage
The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 11, 2023): Republicans and Democrats, Unite Against Big Tech Abuses
The Wall Street Journal (Feb. 3, 2022): What Parents Can Do When Kids Have Suicidal Thoughts
The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 15, 2021): The Facebook Files: A Wall Street Journal Investigation
NPR (Oct. 5, 2021): Here are 4 key points from the Facebook whistleblower's testimony on Capitol Hill
The New York Times (Oct. 22, 2021): Eating Disorders and Social Media Prove Difficult to Untangle
Canadian Mental Health Association: Social Media and Mental Health
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