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Law Firms Advising Social Media Users Harmed by Instagram in Anticipation of Mass Arbitration

By: Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP via Business Wire

November 21, 2024 at 10:49 AM EST

Labaton and Milberg to Bring Thousands of Individual Arbitration Actions Against Meta Related to Social Media Addiction

Premier litigation firms Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP (“Labaton”) and Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC (“Milberg”) are staging a new front in the battle against social media addiction. Attorneys at these leading firms have advised Meta that it will soon face thousands of individual arbitration actions from adults whose addiction to Instagram has damaged their emotional and physical wellbeing.

“Young adults who have suffered greatly because of Instagram’s addictive and damaging features now have an opportunity to transform the social media ecosystem and protect the next generation of youth,” said Jonathan Waisnor, Partner at Labaton. “Social media addiction, and the damage such addiction causes, is one of the greatest dangers facing our society today. Our firms are bringing these mass arbitrations to stop Meta from prioritizing profit over the mental and physical well-being of young people.”

Instagram’s standard terms and conditions include a mandatory arbitration provision to try and shield themselves from class actions and individual lawsuits. By joining forces and pooling resources these firms intend to use these clauses against Meta by representing thousands of individuals on a contingency basis and filing thousands of arbitrations against Meta. Aware of this legal threat, Meta has now informed Instagram users that, as of January 1, 2025, its standard terms and conditions will be changing in such a way as to remove arbitration as a recourse. The opportunity to join these mass arbitration efforts will soon be closed.

“Meta has previously wielded arbitration clauses to attempt to escape real accountability for the harms its products cause, and it is now attempting to dodge a wave of arbitrations by abruptly changing its terms and conditions,” said Gary Klinger, Partner at Milberg. “The millions of Instagram users whose vulnerabilities have been systematically exploited by Meta will not be deterred by this bait and switch. No amount of gamesmanship will dissolve this moment of reckoning for predatory social media platforms.”

Individuals over the age of 18 who’ve used Instagram within the last five years and believe that Instagram usage has negatively impacted their mental or physical health may be eligible for a claim under federal and state laws. They may also be entitled to monetary damages for the pain and suffering, as well as reimbursement for medical treatment. The mental and physical health issues include depression, anxiety, insomnia, eating disorders and low self-esteem stemming from unrealistic comparisons, interference with education and daily life due to addiction, as well as direct harms such as being the victim of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, or sexual harassment or abuse that were facilitated by some of Instagram’s design features.

“Meta knowingly designs its algorithms to be addictive and to promote emotionally-distressing content,” said Jonathan Waisnor. “While Meta has continued to insist that user well-being is its highest priority, the reality is that Instagram is damaging our young people, and it is time to rein it in before it’s too late.”

There is increasing scientific evidence pointing to the negative effects social media has on mental health, particularly adolescents. Plaintiffs’ claims allege, and significant evidence unearthed through government subpoenas support, that Meta intentionally designed Instagram to addict young people and keep them on the platform for as long as possible. Meta did so despite knowing that such addiction negatively impacted mental, psychological and physical health.

If you used Instagram within the past five years, and you believe that your Instagram use negatively impacted your mental or physical health, you may qualify for a claim under federal and state laws and be entitled to monetary damages for pain and suffering, as well as reimbursement for medical treatment. If you believe you may qualify, please visit Lantern by Labaton to learn more. You may also contact the lawyers at InstagramHarmClaim@Labaton.com.