US lawsuit accuses Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube of teen suicide harms

Families of four adolescents from Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota and Tennessee have filed a federal lawsuit in the United States against Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube. The plaintiffs allege that the platforms' recommendation algorithms and design features keep minors online for excessive periods, contributing to the youths' suicides that occurred between July 2024 and September 2025.

The complaint seeks to hold the companies legally responsible for the mental‑health impact on children and calls for stricter safety standards, tighter controls on youth‑directed content, and redesign of engagement mechanisms. Attorney Matthew Bergman, representing the families, said the platforms “continue to kill children” and urged immediate regulatory action. The case adds to a growing wave of legal actions against major social‑media firms following bans and restrictions in several U.S. states and other countries.