Delaware social media addiction lawsuit
Families in Delaware are holding Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube responsible for harm to their children, one case at a time. Here is who may qualify, how Delaware cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
Delaware families can bring individual claims, not a class action, against Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google (YouTube) when a child was harmed after heavy use before 18. In Delaware, an injury claim generally must be filed within 2 years; delaware's rule pausing deadlines for minors does not cover personal injury claims, so a child's injury claim generally must still be filed within 2 years. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in Delaware
- The child lives or lived in Delaware and used Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat or YouTube regularly before 18
- The child developed depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, self-harm, sleep problems or another serious harm
- No diagnosis? 20 or more hours a week on one platform before 18 may support an exposure claim
- Families of a young person who died by suicide after heavy social media use
- An adult contacted the child through a platform and pressured, threatened or exploited them
Delaware filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 2 years | Personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years from the date of the injury. | Del. Code tit. 10, § 8119 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | Delaware's rule pausing deadlines for minors does not cover personal injury claims, so a child's injury claim generally must still be filed within 2 years. | Del. Code tit. 10, § 8116 |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years after the claim arises. | Del. Code tit. 10, § 8107 |
§ 8116 tolls for infancy only for actions 'comprehended within §§ 8101-8115'; personal injury is § 8119, outside that range (also stated by ALFA International compendium). Wrongful death (§ 8107) is inside the range, so minority tolling can apply to wrongful death claims belonging to a minor. Delaware courts recognize a limited 'inherently unknowable' discovery doctrine (secondary sources; not stated in rule). No product-liability repose (§ 8127 is real-property improvements only). Read on the official delcode site.
These are the general rules in the statutes. Courts apply exceptions, and which rule applies depends on the facts, so a lawyer should confirm your family’s deadline. This is general information, not legal advice.
How Delaware cases are filed
This is not a class action. A Delaware family’s claim is filed in the child’s name. Federal cases from every state are grouped in MDL No. 3047 in Northern California so evidence and pre-trial rulings are shared; about 3,800 were pending in October 2026. Some cases are filed in state court instead. The lawyers decide with your family where your case belongs.
What Delaware has done
On October 24, 2023, this state's attorney general joined the 33-state lawsuit against Meta (Instagram and Facebook) in federal court in Northern California, saying Meta designed its apps to hook young users and misled the public about the risks.
Lawsuits and laws by the state are separate from a family’s own claim. They do not file or replace a claim for your child.
Who handles your case
Grove and Associates PLC is a Michigan law firm with its only office in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Its responsible attorney, Justin Grove, is licensed in Michigan only and is not licensed in Delaware. Cases for Delaware families are handled together with co-counsel admitted in the court where the case is filed. You will know every lawyer involved, and how the fee is shared, before you sign anything.
Common questions from Delaware families
Is there a class action for Delaware families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including Delaware, are grouped in MDL No. 3047 in Northern California so evidence and pre-trial rulings are shared, but each claim stays the family’s own.
What is the deadline to file in Delaware?
Personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years from the date of the injury. Delaware's rule pausing deadlines for minors does not cover personal injury claims, so a child's injury claim generally must still be filed within 2 years.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years after the claim arises.
Didn’t Delaware already sue Meta?
On October 24, 2023, this state's attorney general joined the 33-state lawsuit against Meta (Instagram and Facebook) in federal court in Northern California, saying Meta designed its apps to hook young users and misled the public about the risks. That case is brought by the state. It is separate from a family’s own claim for its child.
Do I need a Delaware lawyer?
Your family works with Grove and Associates PLC, a Michigan firm, and co-counsel admitted in the court where your case is filed. You will know every lawyer involved, and how the fee is shared, before you sign anything.
Does it cost anything?
No. The review is free and confidential. If you hire the firm, the lawyers are paid only from a recovery under a written contingency fee agreement.