Social Media Cases Making Progress in California Courts

We continue to take on some of the biggest names in social media—Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The firm is pursuing claims on behalf of thousands of individuals, both adults and minors, who have suffered injuries due to addiction to these platforms.

Beasley Allen is also representing hundreds of school districts that have incurred expenses related to students’ social media addictions.

 

Cases Selected for Discovery

Two courts in California—the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California and the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles—have chosen bellwether cases to start the discovery phase. The discovery phase includes gathering information, evidence, and testimony, all in preparation for the trials scheduled to begin in 2025.

Federal District Court

• Cases Selected: 12 personal injury cases and 12 school board cases.
• Beasley Allen’s Role: Represents three personal injury cases and co-represents four school board cases.

Los Angeles Superior Court

• Cases Selected: 21 personal injury cases.
• Beasley Allen’s Role: Represents 10 of these personal injury cases.

While the legal process is moving forward, there have been some setbacks as is typical in litigations of this magnitude. The Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed claims from some school boards based on laws from California, Florida, Rhode Island, and Washington. These school board cases are currently on hold pending an appeal.

The Impact of Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction has become a growing concern, affecting individuals and communities in various ways:

• Mental Health: Prolonged use of social media can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues like self-harm and suicidal ideation.
• Physical Health: Addiction can result in poor sleep patterns, eye strain, and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Academic Performance: Students addicted to social media may experience a decline in academic performance and increased absenteeism.
• Financial Costs: School districts are incurring additional expenses to address issues related to students’ social media addictions, including counseling services and educational programs.

Looking Ahead

Our goal is to hold these tech giants accountable and seek justice for those affected. The outcomes of these cases could set significant precedents for how social media companies are regulated and how they address the potential harms of their platforms.

As the discovery phase progresses, Beasley Allen attorneys will work diligently to gather evidence and prepare for the upcoming trials. The firm remains committed to advocating for the rights of those affected by social media addiction and seeking meaningful solutions to combat this issue.

Stay tuned for more updates as these cases progress towards trial in 2025.