Tech Firms to Face Thousands of Lawsuits Over Social Media Addiction

Several U.S. states have also pursued age-verification requirements, restrictions on addictive features, and other regulations related to children and social media. At least 20 states have enacted laws addressing young users’ social media usage, although many face legal challenges. In July, Illinois enacted a law prohibiting platforms from using minors’ viewing histories or data on their devices to curate feeds. The law, which will take effect in 2028, also restricts notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and requires stronger privacy settings for minors. At least 40 states and Puerto Rico considered more than 300 measures related to children and social media during the 2026 legislative session, with 10 states enacting new laws or adopting resolutions.

Measures around the world have faced significant pushback from the tech industry. NetChoice, a trade association representing major tech companies including Meta and TikTok, has challenged state laws on grounds of free speech and privacy. Courts in several states, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska and Virginia, have temporarily or permanently blocked all or parts of laws around online safety. Most of those cases are ongoing. Other states, including Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina, also face ongoing litigation over their measures.