Illinois social media addiction lawsuit
Families in Illinois are holding Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube responsible for harm to their children, one case at a time. Here is who may qualify, how Illinois cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
Illinois 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 Illinois, an injury claim generally must be filed within 2 years; if the injured person was under 18 when the claim arose, they have 2 years after turning 18 to file. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in Illinois
- The child lives or lived in Illinois 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
Illinois filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 2 years | Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 2 years. | 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | If the injured person was under 18 when the claim arose, they have 2 years after turning 18 to file. | 735 ILCS 5/13-211(a); see also 5/13-213(d) |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the death, or 5 years if the death came from violent intentional conduct. If a family member who would benefit was under 18, the claim can be filed up to 2 years after that person turns 18. | 740 ILCS 180/2(d)-(f) |
| Product liability outer limit (repose) | — | For strict product liability claims, there is also an outer limit: 12 years from the first sale by a seller, or 10 years from the first sale to the first user, whichever ends first. A longer express warranty can extend it. | 735 ILCS 5/13-213(b) |
Discovery rule in § 13-213(d): if the injury happens within the outer limit, a product claim can be filed within 2 years after the person knew or should have known of the injury, but no later than 8 years after the injury. For a minor, that period does not start until age 18. The official page shows two versions of § 13-213. The broader version from P.A. 89-7 is marked as held unconstitutional (Best v. Taylor Machine Works, 1997). The version in effect covers claims 'based on the doctrine of strict liability in tort', so the outer limit may not reach negligence claims. The 740 ILCS 180/2 text was read on Justia's 2025 edition because the official page blocked access.
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 Illinois cases are filed
This is not a class action. A Illinois 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 Illinois has done
On October 24, 2023, Illinois's attorney general joined the multistate lawsuit against Meta in federal court in Northern California.
On October 8, 2024, Illinois's attorney general also filed a state-court lawsuit against TikTok as part of a coordinated 14-state filing. The suit says TikTok's design is addictive and harms young users.
On July 31, 2026, Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 5511, the Children's Social Media Safety Act. It takes effect in 2028. Platforms will have to check a user's age through the device. For users under 18, feeds cannot be built from viewing history, privacy settings must start out stronger, and notifications are barred between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
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 Illinois. Cases for Illinois 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 Illinois families
Is there a class action for Illinois families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including Illinois, 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 Illinois?
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, they have 2 years after turning 18 to file.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the death, or 5 years if the death came from violent intentional conduct. If a family member who would benefit was under 18, the claim can be filed up to 2 years after that person turns 18.
Didn’t Illinois already sue Meta?
On October 24, 2023, Illinois's attorney general joined the multistate lawsuit against Meta 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 Illinois 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.