How to Save Evidence for a TikTok Lawsuit

Reviewed by the legal team at Estey & Bomberger, LLP · Updated November 14, 2026

Rule #1: Don't delete the account

It's natural to want to delete TikTok or another app the moment you realize it's hurting your child. Please don't delete the account yet. The account holds a record of how much your child used the app, when, and what they saw. Once an account is deleted, that information may be gone for good.

You can still protect your child. Log them out, remove the app from the phone, or use parental controls to limit access. Just keep the account itself in place until you've downloaded the data and talked with a lawyer.

The same goes for Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and Facebook. If your child used several apps, save from all of them.

Download the account data

Most apps let you request a copy of an account's data. On TikTok, this is usually found under Settings and privacy > Account > Download your data. You choose a file format, submit the request, and come back later to download the file once it's ready. Apps change their menus from time to time, so if you don't see it in that spot, search the app's help center for "download your data."

Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Google (for YouTube) offer similar tools in their settings. Once you download a file, save it somewhere safe, such as a computer and a backup drive or cloud folder. Download links can expire, so don't wait too long after the file is ready.

Save screen-time reports

Phones keep track of how long each app is used. These reports can show patterns like late-night use or hours a day on one app.

• iPhone and iPad: Settings > Screen Time. Take screenshots of the daily and weekly views, and the "See All App & Website Activity" page.
• Android: Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. Screenshot the dashboard and per-app details.
• Google Family Link: If you use it, screenshot your child's app activity from your parent account.

These reports often only go back a short time, so take screenshots regularly, such as once a week.

Gather medical, school and other records

Records help show what happened to your child and when. Start a folder, paper or digital, and collect:

• Medical records: pediatrician visits, diagnoses, prescriptions
• Therapy and counseling records: names of providers and dates of care
• Hospital and ER records: including any inpatient or treatment program stays
• School records: report cards, attendance, notes from teachers or counselors, any 504 plan or IEP
• Bills and receipts for treatment

You don't need everything before you call us. We can help request records later.

Document the changes you've seen

• Write a timeline. When did your child get the app? When did you notice changes in sleep, mood, eating or grades?
• Keep a journal. Short, dated notes about what you see are very helpful.
• Save photos that show changes over time, if your child is comfortable with that.
• Take screenshots of harmful content, messages or comments, with dates and usernames showing.

Not sure what the changes mean? Our guide to the signs of TikTok addiction may help.

If your child was targeted for sextortion

Instead, save the messages, usernames and profile links where they are, take screenshots of the conversation that don't show any images, and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) through its CyberTipline. You can also contact local police. If your child is in danger, call 911.

Most of all, let your child know they are not in trouble and they are not alone. Learn more on our sextortion page. When you're ready, a free, confidential case review is the next step. You pay nothing unless we win.

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