Hawaii social media addiction lawsuit
Families in Hawaii are holding Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube responsible for harm to their children, one case at a time. Here is who may qualify, how Hawaii cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
Hawaii 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 Hawaii, an injury claim generally must be filed within 2 years; if the injured person was under 18 when the claim arose, the 2-year clock does not start until they turn 18. A claim can also be filed while the child is still a minor. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in Hawaii
- The child lives or lived in Hawaii 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
Hawaii filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 2 years | Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 2 years. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | If the injured person was under 18 when the claim arose, the 2-year clock does not start until they turn 18. A claim can also be filed while the child is still a minor. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-13 |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the date of death. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-3(b) |
No product-specific outer time limit found in the statutes. Case notes to § 657-13 say the minor rule does not apply to claims against the State of Hawaii, which have their own rules. §§ 657-7 and 663-3 were read on Justia's 2025 edition because the official site would not load; § 657-13 was read on the official 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 Hawaii cases are filed
This is not a class action. A Hawaii 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 Hawaii has done
On October 24, 2023, Hawaii's attorney general joined the multistate lawsuit against Meta (Facebook and Instagram) in federal court in Northern California.
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 Hawaii. Cases for Hawaii 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 Hawaii families
Is there a class action for Hawaii families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including Hawaii, 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 Hawaii?
Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 2 years. If the injured person was under 18 when the claim arose, the 2-year clock does not start until they turn 18. A claim can also be filed while the child is still a minor.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the date of death.
Didn’t Hawaii already sue Meta?
On October 24, 2023, Hawaii's attorney general joined the multistate lawsuit against Meta (Facebook and Instagram) in federal court in Northern California. That case is brought by the state. It is separate from a family’s own claim for its child.
Do I need a Hawaii 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.