November 2025 — Northern District of California
The ongoing social media addiction lawsuits continue to accelerate nationwide, with another 100 new cases added in the past month. The Social Media Addiction MDL (In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation) now includes 2,172 pending cases, marking one of the fastest-growing multidistrict litigations in the United States. The proceedings are being managed by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California.
Tech Giants Face Rising Legal Pressure
The lawsuits name major social media companies, including Meta Platforms (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, Snap Inc. (Snapchat), and Google LLC (YouTube). Plaintiffs allege that these companies designed their platforms to be addictive, particularly targeting children and teenagers, and that this has led to serious mental-health harms such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm.
Attorneys claim that social media algorithms and engagement-driven features exploit users’ psychological vulnerabilities to maximize time spent on the apps, while failing to warn families about the associated risks. Plaintiffs are pursuing claims of product liability, negligence, and failure to warn. The tech defendants continue to argue they are protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and First Amendment rights.
Social Media MDL Growth and Momentum
The Social Media Addiction MDL has grown significantly throughout 2025. In August, there were around 1,900 lawsuits pending. By October, filings exceeded 2,000, and by November 2025, the total reached 2,172 cases, an increase of roughly 100 new claims in just one month.
This surge highlights increasing public and legal scrutiny of how social media affects youth mental health and family well-being. The court is now preparing for bellwether trials, test cases expected to begin in late 2026 that will help shape the direction of settlements and future rulings.
Recent Court Developments
Judge Gonzalez Rogers recently ruled that key claims, particularly those involving product defect, negligence, and failure to warn—can move forward. The court also ordered defendants to turn over internal design and safety documents, including data related to engagement algorithms and platform safety research.
Parallel state-court proceedings, especially in California, continue to evolve in tandem with the federal MDL, amplifying national pressure on social media platforms to respond to claims of user harm.
Implications for Technology and Public Health
The growing number of social media addiction lawsuits underscores a shift in how courts and regulators view digital product safety. Lawmakers across multiple states are considering new youth online safety laws that would require algorithm transparency, parental controls, and time-limit features for minors.
For the tech industry, the MDL represents not only potential financial exposure but also a critical test of corporate accountability in the digital age. The outcomes of the upcoming trials may redefine standards for how social platforms protect, or fail to protect, young users.
Partner With Blue Sky Legal
Blue Sky Legal is actively monitoring and supporting litigation that holds technology and social media companies accountable for the harm their platforms may cause to children, families, and communities.
If your firm represents clients in social media addiction lawsuits or related technology litigation, we invite you to partner with our team. Together, we can strengthen legal strategies, coordinate discovery efforts, and advance justice for those impacted by unsafe digital products.
Contact Blue Sky Legal today to explore collaboration opportunities and coordinated litigation strategies that drive meaningful accountability in the tech industry.
