TikTok claims: who may qualify.
Families say TikTok was built to keep children and teenagers watching for as long as possible, and that heavy use brought on depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm. TikTok has settled every family case set for trial so far. Below: what the claims say, who they involve, and which records to collect.
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What the TikTok lawsuits are about.
The TikTok lawsuits say that TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, designed the app to keep young users watching as long as possible. They name three features. The For You feed studies what each user watches and keeps supplying more of it. Videos play one after another with no stopping point. Age checks are easy for children to get around. They also say TikTok never warned families about the risks. TikTok denies the claims.
For the litigation against all four companies, including Meta, Snap and YouTube, see our social media lawsuits page.
Next steps for a TikTok claim.
Pick the page that matches your question, or go straight to a free social media case review.
Who the TikTok claims may involve.
TikTok claims most often involve heavy users who started as minors. Families describe depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, and sleep lost to late-night viewing. Each case turns on how the app was used, the diagnosis, and the law of the state where it is filed.
How the cases are organized.
Families' cases against TikTok sit in two main places. Federal cases are combined in MDL 3047 in Oakland, California, where one judge handles the pretrial work shared by cases against TikTok, Meta, Snap and YouTube. Cases filed in California state court are coordinated in Los Angeles. Each family's case stays its own.
In September 2026, TikTok agreed to pay the State of Alabama at least $100 million to settle the state's lawsuit days before trial. It also agreed to new rules for teen users. The money goes to the state. Families cannot file a claim for it.
Every family and school district case against TikTok that came near trial has settled on confidential terms. Thousands more are pending. TikTok has not announced a settlement program for families, so be wary of anyone promising a fixed payment.
For trial dates and each new settlement, see Lawsuit Informer’s social media addiction lawsuit updates page.
What to gather first.
Start with what you have. Missing records can often be requested later:
- The TikTok username and the ages when the app was used
- Screen-time reports from the phone showing daily TikTok use
- Diagnosis and treatment records, including any hospital stays
- Notes on when symptoms began compared with when heavy use began
Deadlines vary by state.
Deadlines to sue depend on the state. When the harm began in childhood, many states allow extra time, but the rules differ. A lawyer licensed in your state can confirm which deadline applies.
You can start with a social media case review, or read how social media lawyers evaluate these claims.
Request a free TikTok case review.
Tell us briefly about TikTok 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.