John Richmond, Co-Founder and CEO
- September 3, 2026
Social media helps people stay connected, build communities, and share their lives. For many people, it’s part of daily life. But some of the world’s largest technology companies have spent years designing platforms that keep users engaged for as long as possible.
Families across New York State are trying to understand changes they’ve watched unfold over time. A child who once seemed happy and engaged now struggles with anxiety, isolation, or declining grades. Many parents are left wondering whether social media played a larger role than anyone realized.
At Richmond Vona, we believe companies should be held accountable when their products cause harm. We’ve recovered more than $250 million for injured people across New York State while providing clear communication and honest answers. If you suspect social media has harmed your child or loved one, it’s worth speaking with a social media addiction lawyer sooner rather than later.
- What Platforms Are Facing Social Media Lawsuits?
- Who May Be Able to File a Social Media Addiction Lawsuit in New York State?
- When Should You Contact a Social Media Lawyer?
- What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Social Media Harm?
- How Are Social Media Companies Liable for Addiction in Minors?
- Richmond Vona Is Here for You and Your Family If You’ve Been Harmed by Social Media
What Platforms Are Facing Social Media Lawsuits?
At the center of many social media lawsuits is a simple allegation: some technology companies prioritized keeping young users on their platforms for longer periods of time without doing enough to address the risks that came with that behavior. Many of these claims involve platforms that are widely used by children and teenagers and rely on features designed to encourage repeated engagement.
Meta Platforms
Meta owns several of the world’s most widely used social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Instagram:
Centers around sharing photos, videos, stories, and short-form content. Lawsuits frequently focus on recommendation algorithms, endless scrolling features, appearance-focused content, and their impact on young users.Facebook:
One of the largest social networking platforms in the world, allowing users to share posts, photos, videos, and participate in groups and communities.WhatsApp:
Primarily a messaging platform that allows users to exchange text messages, photos, videos, voice recordings, and group chats.
TikTok
TikTok is a short-form video platform built around highly personalized content recommendations. Lawsuits often focus on its algorithm-driven “For You” feed, which continuously delivers content tailored to a user’s viewing habits and can encourage prolonged engagement.
Snapchat
Snapchat allows users to send disappearing photos and videos, maintain streaks with friends, and share content through stories. Some claims point to platform features designed to encourage daily use and continuous interaction.
Discord
Discord is a communication platform built around servers, group chats, voice channels, and video conversations. Originally popular among gamers, it is now used by a wide range of communities. Lawsuits involving Discord often examine moderation practices and exposure to harmful content.
YouTube
YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing platform. Through autoplay functions, recommendation algorithms, short-form videos, and endless streams of content, users can spend significant amounts of time on the platform. Some lawsuits argue these features contribute to compulsive use among minors.
Who May Be Able to File a Social Media Addiction Lawsuit in New York State?
Every case is unique, but many people pursuing a social media harm lawsuit or social media addiction claim share certain characteristics, including those who:
- Frequently used social media platforms as minors
- Were diagnosed with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, conditions involving self-harm, or other serious mental health conditions
- Experienced observable physical or emotional changes linked to social media use
- Have medical, psychological, or treatment records documenting those harms
- Required counseling, therapy, hospitalization, or other forms of treatment
Records can play an important role in these cases. Medical evaluations, therapy records, treatment histories, and similar evidence help paint a clearer picture of what your family has experienced.
Can Adults File a Social Media Lawsuit?
Yes. Many adults pursuing social media harm claims began using social media heavily as children or teenagers.
Eligibility often depends on when the harmful use began and whether documented mental health conditions or other injuries developed during that period. Our New York personal injury and social media addiction lawyers can review the specific facts of your situation and help determine whether a claim may be available.
When Should You Contact a Social Media Lawyer?
If your child is displaying significant changes in behavior connected to social media use, it’s time to speak with a New York social media addiction lawyer.
Warning signs may include:
- Significant drops in self-esteem
- Anxiety or depression
- Obsessive social media use
- Withdrawal from family or friends
- Sleep disturbances
- Self-harm behaviors
- Disordered eating or eating disorders
- Academic decline
Many parents spend months trying to understand what changed. They notice their child withdrawing, struggling at school, or becoming a different version of themselves without knowing why. Led by Co-Founder and CEO John Richmond, who has spent more than 15 years holding negligent corporations accountable, and Co-Founder Keith Vona, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Buffalo police officer, our team can help you understand whether social media-related harm may be part of the picture and what legal options may exist.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Social Media Harm
Building a social media addiction lawsuit typically requires evidence showing both the extent of platform use and the resulting harm.
Common forms of evidence include:
- Medical records
- Mental health treatment records
- Therapy or counseling records
- Diagnoses from doctors or mental health professionals
- School records showing academic or behavioral changes
- Social media account history and usage information
- Hospitalization records, if applicable
- Statements from parents, guardians, teachers, or other witnesses
Together, these records can help show when problems began, how severe they became, and the impact they had on a person’s daily life.
How Are Social Media Companies Liable for Addiction in Minors?
Social media lawsuits generally do not argue that platforms should not exist. Instead, they focus on allegations that certain companies knowingly created products that encourage excessive use while failing to protect younger users.
Claims often center on features such as:
- Endless scrolling feeds
- Personalized recommendation algorithms
- Frequent push notifications
- Autoplay functionality
- Streak systems and engagement rewards
- Limited age protections
- Insufficient content warnings
- Inadequate filtering of harmful content
Research continues to examine the connection between heavy social media use and negative mental health outcomes among adolescents. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that social media may pose a risk to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents, especially during crucial stages of development.
These lawsuits seek to hold companies accountable for decisions made during the design and operation of their platforms. For many families, these cases are about understanding what happened and whether more should have been done to protect young users from harm.
Richmond Vona Is Here for You and Your Family If You've Been Harmed by Social Media
We know these cases aren’t just about screen time or social media habits. They’re about parents who watched their child become withdrawn, anxious, or disconnected and never received clear answers about why it was happening.
Many of us are parents and active members of the communities we serve throughout New York State. That’s one reason we continue supporting programs that help children and families.
When you contact Richmond Vona, you’ll work with real people who take the time to understand your concerns. You’ll know who’s handling your case, how to reach them, and what happens next. If something changes, you’ll hear it from us. We’ll answer your questions honestly and help you understand whether pursuing a claim makes sense for your family.
If your loved one is addicted to or has been harmed by social media, speak with a New York social media addiction lawyer at Richmond Vona today by calling 716-500-5678 or contact us online.
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