Instagram claims: who may qualify.
Families say Meta built Instagram to keep children and teenagers scrolling, and that heavy use led to depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm. In 2026, two juries ruled against Meta, and Meta agreed to pay the states up to $17.1 billion. This page explains what the claims involve, who may be affected, and what to gather.
Some placements on this page may be sponsored. Featured visibility should be clearly identified and does not constitute a recommendation or guarantee of results.
What the Instagram lawsuits are about.
The Instagram lawsuits say that Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, designed the app to keep young users on it as long as possible. They point to the endless feed, recommendations that learn what holds a user's attention, like counts, appearance-changing filters and constant notifications. The claims focus on how the app was designed and on Meta's alleged failure to warn families about the risks. Meta denies that its apps harm young users.
These claims are part of the broader social media litigation. For the full overview, see the social media lawsuits page.
Next steps for an Instagram claim.
Choose the resource that fits your situation, or start with a case review and be routed by category.
Not sure where to begin? You can start a social media case review and be routed by category.
Who the Instagram claims may involve.
Body image is a common thread in the Instagram claims. Families point to appearance-changing filters, like counts, and feeds full of other people's photos. The harms they describe include eating disorders, depression, anxiety and self-harm, usually in teenagers who started using the app young. Whether a situation fits depends on usage history, diagnosis, and state law.
How the cases are organized.
Federal Instagram cases are combined with the other social media cases in MDL 3047, before a federal judge in Oakland, California. Each family keeps its own case, and the judge manages the evidence the cases share. California state court cases are coordinated separately in Los Angeles. Meta, which owns Instagram, is a defendant alongside TikTok, Snap and Google's YouTube.
In August 2026, Meta settled with 51 state attorneys general and agreed to new limits for users under 18. The money goes to the states. Families cannot file a claim for it, and their own lawsuits continue.
Juries in Los Angeles and New Mexico ruled against Meta in March 2026. Thousands of family and school district cases naming Meta are still pending, and Meta has announced no settlement program for families. Treat any offer that promises a fixed payment with caution.
Lawsuit Informer tracks the trial calendar and each ruling on its social media addiction lawsuit updates page.
What to gather first.
If you are looking into an Instagram claim, it helps to gather what is available, even if your records are incomplete:
- The Instagram account name and the ages when it was used
- Screen-time reports showing daily Instagram use
- Diagnosis records, including any eating disorder treatment or hospital stays
- A timeline of when use began and when symptoms started
Deadlines vary by state.
Each state sets its own deadlines, and because many of these cases involve harm beginning in childhood, special rules for minors may apply. Confirming the deadline that applies to you with an attorney licensed in your state is more reliable than estimating.
A social media case review is a starting point, and you can also read how social media lawyers evaluate these claims.
Request a free Instagram case review.
Tell us briefly about Instagram use and any diagnosis or harm. David Meldofsky refers your request to participating law firms where a firm handles your category and state. Submitting does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Created by a California-licensed attorney. A submission does not guarantee eligibility, compensation, contact, or representation.