Social media harm lawsuits against Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, allege its platforms entice vulnerable children and allow sexual predators to contact and harm them. The cases focus on how Meta designed and marketed its products.
As Marlo Greer’s video notes, these lawsuits are vital. If successful, they will force Meta to make significant product safety changes that make Facebook and Instagram safer for all users, especially children. If they fail, Meta is likely to keep acting as it has, and vulnerable users such as children are more likely to suffer.
How Platform Design Is at the Center of These Cases
Filed in state and federal courts, these lawsuits focus on the product as Meta developed and marketed it. They argue the platforms are defective because they allegedly addict young users and fail to shield them from contact with sexual predators.
The lawsuits also accuse Meta of knowingly allowing underage users onto its products while tailoring those products to draw young users in, essentially addicting them. The lawsuits say that putting young users into unmoderated forums alongside adult sexual predators created immense, predictable harm.
For more on the design argument, read Social Media Product Liability: Why Platform Design Matters. We have also looked at Social Media Age Restrictions and Child Safety.
Where the Meta Cases Stand
A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for $375 million, and in August 2026 a judge added $567 million, for a total of $942 million, plus court-supervised changes. Meta has said it will appeal. Also in August, Meta settled a multistate trial for about $12 billion over 10 years, which could rise to about $17 billion if other platforms adopt similar reforms. For details, read Meta Social Media Addiction Lawsuit: Trial Ends in Settlement and Meta and YouTube Verdicts: Two Different Cases Explained.
What Social Media Harm Lawsuits Can Address
At the end of the day, these lawsuits are only partly about money. Financial penalties get corporate attention, but real change happens when courts order Meta to upgrade safety features for younger users.
Until that happens, young Facebook and Instagram users will likely keep suffering mental and physical harm from these platforms. When a child is harmed, financial compensation can fund the treatment they need to recover and move forward.
Information to Gather Before a Case Evaluation
If your child was harmed, it helps to pull together what you already have before you talk to a lawyer:
- The platforms involved, such as Instagram or Facebook
- Your child’s account usernames
- Dates when the use, contact or harm happened
- Saved messages, posts and screenshots
- Medical, counseling or school records you already have
Talking to a Lawyer About Social Media Harm
Whether the harm is mental or physical, we can review your case to see whether you may be entitled to compensation. Call Greer Law Group at 303-331-6460 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
