The act of incessantly scrolling on one’s phone for an extended period of time is often referred to as “doomscrolling.” What is so captivating about social media that we forget time when on a device? A growing number of lawsuits argue that this is not accidental. They claim that social media companies like Google and Meta are designed to be addictive because of the constant dopamine coming from likes and posts, as well as an addictive layout built for endless scrolling. This is actively affecting the young audience that these platforms target.

In two lawsuits from New Mexico and Los Angeles, Meta and Google have been found liable for inflicting harm to the mental health of teens who become addicted to their social media platforms. Teenagers are constantly using social media and being hurt by its design. Stateline reported that “Suicide claims more Gen Z lives than previous generations,” and social media and access to it have been a big part in these rising suicide rates.

In a recent California case, Katie Couric Media reported that a jury “awarded the plaintiff, identified only as K.G.M., $3 million in compensatory damages, finding that the companies had been a substantial factor in her becoming addicted to the social media platforms, which led to her developing anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.” This decision marked one of the first times a court accepted the argument that platform design itself caused harm, not just the users. This made people’s eyes turn to question whether social media apps are the ones truly doing the damage.

Many lawsuits allege that companies like Meta and Google have designed their platforms to maximize screen time, and Katie Couric Media reported “infinite scroll, autoplay, and deliberately unpredictable rewards got her (K.G.M.) addicted,” even though those are core features the apps have. Many are starting to consider whether the companies are making money off users’ poor mental health.

Meanwhile, other companies have begun to avoid similar trials. TikTok recently settled a related case before it went to court, avoiding publicity.

At the center of the debate is whether social media is simply a tool used by individuals or a product designed to alter human behavior. Courts are now being asked to decide whether companies should be held responsible for how their platforms affect users over time.