Reviewed by the legal team at Estey & Bomberger, LLP · Updated November 14, 2026
The link families are seeing
Parents often describe a slow shift. Their child started spending more time on TikTok, then stopped doing the things they loved. Sleep got worse. Grades slipped. They seemed flat, irritable, or hopeless.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on social media and youth mental health, raising concerns about how heavy use may affect young people. The lawsuits against TikTok go further. They allege the app was built to be compulsive, using features like:
- A For You feed that learns a child's weak spots and keeps them watching
- Infinite scroll and autoplay with no natural end
- Late-night notifications that pull kids back in and cut into sleep
- Likes and view counts that tie a child's mood to approval from strangers
- Few real time limits and weak parental controls
Families also allege that once a sad teen engages with sad content, the algorithm can serve more of it. Learn more on our how TikTok addicts kids page.
Signs of depression in kids and young adults
- Sadness, emptiness, or irritability most days
- Losing interest in sports, hobbies, or friends
- Sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Trouble focusing or falling grades
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Talking about death or not wanting to be here
Depression is treatable. If you notice these signs, reach out to your child's doctor or a mental health provider. If your child talks about suicide, call or text 988 right away, and read our page on suicidal thoughts.
How depression claims work
Depression is one of the most common harms in the social media addiction cases. Federal claims are consolidated in MDL No. 3047 before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. In November 2023, the court allowed claims to move forward that focus on the platforms' own design choices, such as lack of screen-time limits, barriers to deleting accounts, and weak age verification.
The claims are design defect and failure to warn. Each case is individual. Recent trials have drawn attention too: in March 2026, a Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million against Meta and YouTube in the K.G.M. case, after TikTok settled before trial. Read more on our TikTok addiction lawsuit page.
Records that support a depression claim
- Diagnosis from a pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist
- Therapy notes and medication history
- Any hospital or crisis visits
- School records, attendance, and counselor notes
- Screen-time data and TikTok account details
Please keep the account and phone data. Our guide to saving evidence explains how.
Compensation a claim may seek
Depression can affect a child's whole life, from school to friendships to future plans. A claim may seek the cost of therapy, psychiatric care, medication, intensive programs, future treatment, and damages for emotional suffering. No result is ever guaranteed.
Free, confidential help from our firm
Estey & Bomberger, LLP represents families nationwide from our San Diego office. We offer a free, confidential review, and you pay nothing unless we win. We can meet you wherever is easiest. We also handle depression claims linked to Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Facebook. Request your free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isn't teen depression just part of growing up?
Moodiness can be normal. Clinical depression is different and deserves care. If a doctor diagnosed your child, that diagnosis matters.
My child had some struggles before TikTok. Can we still file?
Possibly. A claim can involve a condition that was made worse. We will look at your child's full history.
Can I file if I am 20 and was depressed as a teen?
You may be able to. Young adults harmed as minors may still have claims, but deadlines apply. Reach out soon. See if you may qualify.
How long do these cases take?
Mass tort cases can take time. There is no global settlement yet. We will keep you updated at every step.
What does it cost?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
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