What Is Social Media Addiction?
An individual is addicted to social media when they compulsively and excessively use it to the point that it negatively impacts their life. It can go so far as to cause their personal relationships, mental health, and even physical health to deteriorate.
Those suffering from social media addiction often find themselves unable to control the amount of time they spend on these platforms, even if they’re aware of the negative consequences. Unfortunately, this is precisely what many social media platforms want. They’re designed to keep their users engaged for as long as possible, regardless of the costs to the users.
How Does Social Media Addiction Lead to Harm?
When a person suffers from a social media addiction, they can suffer various kinds of psychological harm stemming from:
With the rise of online platforms, bullying is no longer limited to school or in the workplace. Individuals can experience it at any time, and those with social media addictions may not be able to simply block it out or stop using the platforms where the cyberbullying is happening.
Because social media is fast-paced, people may feel they’ll miss out if they don’t constantly check these platforms. This is abbreviated as FOMO.
Prolonged screen and phone use can strain the eyes, cause neck pain, make it harder to fall asleep, and even lead to depression and other mental health issues. When social media companies intentionally make their platforms addictive, physical harm to their users can result.
Social media users, particularly younger users, may compare themselves to what they see online. When you’re suffering from a social media addiction, it can be hard to realize that the personas influencers put forward on these platforms often aren’t a realistic representation of their everyday lives.
How the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Works
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is an essential piece of federal legislation that protects children by imposing certain requirements on websites and apps, such as social media platforms. It prevents these platforms from collecting children’s personal information without first obtaining parental consent.
In practice, this often means that social media platforms implement age requirements. For example, most social media sites require users to be 13 or older. However, many of these platforms don’t have robust ways to detect underage users and prevent them from accessing potentially harmful content.
This means that children could become addicted to social media at an early age, making it even harder for them to quit and increasing the risk of harm.
What Can You Sue Social Media Platforms For?
Individuals in Albuquerque who suffered harm caused by the platforms they use can sue social media companies for:
- Negligent Practices – If the company doesn’t have safeguards to protect users, such as a block feature or a way to delete account data, it may be liable for harm caused due to negligence.
- Deceptive Practices – Many social media companies downplay the harm their platforms cause and their addictive nature. By misrepresenting the risks associated with using their platforms, they profit from the harm they cause.
- Product Liability – Some social media platforms that use algorithms to serve content to users may be defective by design. These platforms prioritize showing users content that will upset them because they know strong emotions make people engage more.
If you believe you were harmed by a social media platform’s negligent or deceptive practices, complete our questionnaire to learn more about how you can seek compensation.
Am I Eligible for a Social Media Harm Lawsuit?
To be eligible for a social media harm lawsuit, you’ll need the following evidence:
You must demonstrate that you used the platform for an extended period. You can do this by showing that you have an account.
You must have evidence that the social media platform engaged in harmful practices, such as revealing your personal information to other users or promoting dangerous content.
You must show that you suffered harm because of the platform’s practices, such as if you received threats that made you fearful or had to seek therapy for what you saw online.
You must show that you suffered some kind of financial loss, such as therapy bills, the cost of implementing home security measures, or even medical bills for conditions caused by excessive screen use.
Compensation Available for Victims Harmed by Social Media
The compensation victims of social media harm can receive through their lawsuit includes:
- Medical expenses, including therapy, medical treatments, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages due to the impact the social media addiction has on your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering experienced due to social media addiction, including emotional suffering caused by cyberbullying.
An experienced attorney can prove you deserve compensation from the social medical platform because of the harm they caused you. They’ll gather supporting evidence and build a strong case demonstrating your right to compensation.
Contact an Albuquerque Social Media Harm Attorney
If you suffered harm caused by social media platforms and their addictive or dangerous qualities, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Fill out Ron Bell Law’s questionnaire to learn more about your eligibility and how we can help.