Reviewed by the legal team at Estey & Bomberger, LLP · Updated November 14, 2026
Why we handle Facebook cases too
Our firm, Estey & Bomberger, LLP, focuses on TikTok. Many young adults now 18 to 25 grew up on it, and many kids still use it for groups, Messenger, games and Reels.
Facebook and Instagram are both owned by Meta, and both are part of the same lawsuits as TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat. If Facebook was one of the apps your child used, include it. We'd rather know the full picture.
You pay nothing unless we win.
Who is being sued
Facebook is owned by Meta Platforms, Inc. Lawsuits involving Facebook name Meta Platforms, often along with its Instagram claims.
The cases are about how the products were designed and whether Meta warned families of the risks. In November 2023, the federal judge overseeing these cases allowed design-defect and failure-to-warn claims to move forward.
Facebook features the lawsuits point to
- Notifications. A steady flow of alerts about likes, comments, tags and friend activity pulls users back, day and night.
- The News Feed. An endless, ranked feed picked to keep people scrolling, with no natural stopping point.
- Groups. Groups can connect kids with communities that push harmful ideas, such as extreme dieting, and can connect them with strangers.
- Likes and reactions. Public counts invite comparison and the urge to keep checking.
- Weak age checks and parental controls. Families say kids could easily sign up and use the app without real limits.
Learn more about how these designs keep kids hooked.
Meta's record in court so far
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has faced major results:
- March 2026: A Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million against Meta and YouTube in the first social media addiction trial (K.G.M.), finding them negligent and liable for failing to warn. Meta was assigned 70% of the compensatory damages. The case is on appeal.
- August 2026: Meta agreed to a settlement with state attorneys general worth up to about $17 billion over 10 years, plus new teen-safety defaults. It also settled with Texas for more than $1 billion.
- August and October 2026: New Mexico won a $942 million judgment against Meta in a child-safety case (stayed while Meta challenges it) and a penalty of about $25 billion in a separate data-practices case, which Meta plans to appeal.
- October 2026: Meta settled with the two plaintiffs set for the second California trial.
Results in other cases don't guarantee any outcome for your family. See our settlements page for more.
Injuries linked to Facebook
Families describe harms such as:
- Depression and anxiety
- Eating disorders and body image struggles
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
- Sextortion and contact from strangers
- Sleep loss and trouble at school
Many families tell us the harm didn't come from one app alone. A child might start on Facebook or YouTube, then move to Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat as they got older. That history matters, and we look at all of it together. See the full list of injuries we review.
How to start a Facebook case
Tell us your story and list every app involved. A young adult who used Facebook as a kid and TikTok as a teen can include both. That's normal, and it helps us see the whole picture.
Keep the account open, save what you can, and gather records. Our evidence guide explains how.
Then request your free case review. Attorney Mike Bomberger and our San Diego team handle cases nationwide, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Facebook case different from an Instagram case?
Both apps are owned by Meta, so claims are usually brought against Meta together. Tell us which Meta apps your child used, plus any others like TikTok or Snapchat.
I'm a young adult. Can I bring a case about Facebook use as a kid?
Possibly. Many people aged 18 to 25 were harmed when they were younger. Time limits vary, so reach out soon for a free review.
Has Meta paid anything in these cases?
Meta was found liable in the first jury trial ($6 million against Meta and YouTube, now on appeal) and agreed to a multistate settlement worth up to about $17 billion. Those results don't guarantee any outcome in your case.
What if my child used Facebook years ago but not anymore?
That can still matter. Harm often builds over years and across apps. Tell us about past use as well as current use, and we'll review the full history for free.
What does it cost?
Nothing up front. You pay nothing unless we win.
Related
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Read more →YouTube Addiction Lawsuit
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Read more →Snapchat Addiction Lawsuit
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