Can parents shield kids from negative social media impacts leading to suicidal ideology?

February 12, 2023

In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34. Parents should check in with their kids about their social media experiences and pay close attention to changes in mood, sleep, or eating habits. One common concern for preteens, teenagers and young adults is the frequent messaging of the ‘ideal’ body shape” and unrealistic beauty standards.  The normalization of plastic surgery, excessive photo-editing, and the glorification and romanticization of mental illnesses or trends that risk the life of young people has been associated with social media use.  Long term exposure to harmful content on Meta platforms can create feelings of inadequacy leading to anxiety and depression and suicide. Psychologists have reported that while some kids can tolerate more time on social media, some children are negatively affected within as little as 5 minutes. Victims of social media who are suffering mental and physical illnesses should seek out counsel from a Facebook lawsuit attorney who can outline victim criteria to determine if there is a case for damages that may pay for harmful losses and expense of medical expenses to address mental and physical illness related to social media harm.

Meta in the news.

After repeated suicides reportedly related to social media, families and loved ones are fighting back. Meta Platforms Inc., the company behind Facebook, Instagram and other apps has enabled algorithms that make kids addicted to social media and lead to dangerous consequences of negative mental health and suicidal ideology. Victims of social media addiction on Meta platforms including Facebook Instagram or Snapchat should talk with a personal injury lawyer about identified negative health impacts that may include:

• Self-harm or suicidal ideation
• Newly diagnosed mental illnesses
• Depression or depressive symptoms
• Anxiety
• Eating Disorders
• Body Dysmorphia
• ADHD

Victims of social media harms will need to prove negative health was caused by using Meta platforms and a “functional capacity evaluation” should be completed to support those claims.

Harmful loss compensation.

Mental health struggles caused by Meta Platforms may require compensation to cover medical expenses and in cased of related wrongful death, funeral and burial expenses and pain and suffering for surviving loved ones.

• Medical treatment costs,
• Therapy costs,
• Pain and suffering,
• Emotional damages,
• Lifelong disability addresses loss of income and professional training,
• Funeral and burial expenses,
• Other potential damages as identified in the Meta lawsuits.

Depending on the harms to a victim’s health, it may be prudent to consult with a Michigan Facebook lawsuit attorney at the Neumann Law Group who can explain when legal action is warranted and how the process plays out.

Hire a lawyer.

Michigan personal injury attorneys  at the Neumann Law Group will assist families to build a case against Meta, Facebook or other social media platforms based on evidence of proof of injury to the victim. Professional attorneys will work with a team of experts to support associated mental health risks, crises and statistical death numbers related to social media.

Neumann Law Group

Traverse City

300 E Front St #445
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 221-0050
Fax: (231) 221-0051

Sources:

1. After Facebook Bombshells, Should Parents Keep Kids Off Social Media? (healthline.com)
2. Facts About Suicide | Suicide | CDC
3. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title28/part6/chapter171&edition=prelim