Social media is such a big part of our everyday lives now. But as we continue to realize, it can have substantial and negative effects on our mental health. Social media platforms are beginning to be held responsible for the harms they do. Purposefully made addictive, these platforms can cause substantial damage without the right protections. Social media platforms may be responsible for the harm they cause.
At Edward O. Moody, P.A., our Texas social media lawyers are here to help. We help you seek compensation for the injuries you have suffered.
Texas Does Not Have a Specific “Social Media Harm” Statute
There is no specific law in Texas that lets you sue for mental health harm caused by social media. Just because you suffered mental health harm from social media, doesn’t necessarily mean you are allowed to file a claim.
However, Texas law may permit lawsuits for other forms of misconduct. These might include deceptive acts, consumer-protection violations, or even negligence. This means you may have the right to compensation despite the lack of a specific law on this issue.
When Social Media Companies May Be Liable in Texas
A few different legal theories may permit you to recover compensation for mental health harm from social media companies.
1. Product Liability for Defective or Dangerous Design
Texas product-liability law applies to more than physical products. If a digital platform is designed in a way that is unreasonably dangerous, a claim may be possible.
Potential arguments include:
- Algorithms intentionally engineered to create compulsive use
- Features that expose minors to harmful content
- Lack of meaningful parental controls
- Failure to warn users about known psychological risks
If a platform’s design foreseeably harms users, especially minors, Texas law may allow a defective-design or failure-to-warn claim.
2. Negligence for Failing to Protect Minors
Social media companies know that minors are uniquely vulnerable to:
- Body-image pressures
- Cyberbullying
- Sexual exploitation
- Addictive engagement loops
- Harmful content recommendations
3. Deceptive Trade Practices (DTPA)
Under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, companies cannot mislead consumers about the safety or nature of their products.
A DTPA claim may be possible if a platform:
- Markets itself as safe for minors while knowing the risks
- Conceals internal research about mental health impacts
- Misrepresents how user data is used to drive engagement
- Promotes features as “protective” that do not actually work
If deceptive conduct contributed to mental health harm, the DTPA may allow recovery of economic damages and, in some cases, mental anguish damages.
4. Failure to Warn About Known Risks
Internal documents from major platforms have shown that companies are aware of the psychological risks associated with their products—especially for teenage girls.
If a company knows its platform can cause:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Self-harm behaviors
- Sleep disruption
and fails to warn users or parents, a failure-to-warn claim may be viable under Texas law.
What Damages Could Be Recoverable?
If a lawsuit is viable, potential damages may include:
- Costs of therapy, counseling, or medical treatment
- Lost income or educational disruption
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful-death damages in severe cases
- Punitive damages for extreme misconduct
When Texans Should Consider Speaking With an Attorney
You should consider a legal consultation if:
- A minor developed severe mental health symptoms linked to social media use
- A platform ignored reports of harmful or dangerous content
- You believe the platform’s design contributed to compulsive or addictive behavior
- You suspect deceptive marketing or failure to warn
- A suicide attempt or self-harm incident occurred after exposure to harmful content
Learn Whether You Can Hold the Social Media Companies Responsible for Your Mental Health Injuries
Our highly experienced legal team is ready to analyze your case and seek the compensation you deserve. In this ever-changing area of law, you need an attorney who is ready to fight for your rights.
Let the dedicated social media injury attorneys at Edward O. Moody, P.A. review your case. Contact us today for a consultation.