District of Columbia social media addiction lawsuit
Families in District of Columbia are holding Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube responsible for harm to their children, one case at a time. Here is who may qualify, how District of Columbia cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia, an injury claim generally must be filed within 3 years; if the injured person was under 18 when hurt, the 3-year clock does not start until they turn 18. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in District of Columbia
- The child lives or lived in District of Columbia 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
District of Columbia filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 3 years | Most injury claims, including negligence and product claims, must be filed within 3 years. | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | If the injured person was under 18 when hurt, the 3-year clock does not start until they turn 18. | D.C. Code § 12-302(a) |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years after the death. | D.C. Code § 16-2702 |
D.C. has no line specific to personal injury; negligence/product injury claims fall under the 3-year catch-all § 12-301(a)(8) (confirmed by secondary surveys). Intentional torts like assault/battery are 1 year (§ 12-301(a)(4)). Wrongful death period was extended from 1 to 2 years in 2012 (D.C. Law 19-177). D.C. courts apply a discovery rule (secondary source). Read on official D.C. Council code 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 District of Columbia cases are filed
This is not a class action. A District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia has done
On October 24, 2023, DC's attorney general filed DC's own lawsuit against Meta in D.C. Superior Court under the District's consumer protection law. It says Instagram and Meta's other apps were designed to addict children and that Meta hid the harm.
On October 8, 2024, DC's attorney general sued TikTok in D.C. Superior Court as part of a 14-attorney-general group, saying the app preys on children and runs an illegal virtual economy.
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 District of Columbia. Cases for District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia families
Is there a class action for District of Columbia families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including District of Columbia, 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 District of Columbia?
Most injury claims, including negligence and product claims, must be filed within 3 years. If the injured person was under 18 when hurt, the 3-year clock does not start until they turn 18.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years after the death.
Didn’t District of Columbia already sue Meta?
On October 24, 2023, DC's attorney general filed DC's own lawsuit against Meta in D.C. Superior Court under the District's consumer protection law. It says Instagram and Meta's other apps were designed to addict children and that Meta hid the harm. That case is brought by the state. It is separate from a family’s own claim for its child.
Do I need a District of Columbia 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.