New Mexico social media addiction lawsuit
Families in New Mexico are holding Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube responsible for harm to their children, one case at a time. Here is who may qualify, how New Mexico cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
New Mexico 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 New Mexico, an injury claim generally must be filed within 3 years; a child injured before 18 gets at least until one year after turning 18 to file. If the normal 3-year deadline ends later, the later date applies. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in New Mexico
- The child lives or lived in New Mexico 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
New Mexico filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 3 years | Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 3 years. | NMSA 1978, § 37-1-8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | A child injured before 18 gets at least until one year after turning 18 to file. If the normal 3-year deadline ends later, the later date applies. | NMSA 1978, § 37-1-10 |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 3 years of the date of death. | NMSA 1978, § 41-2-2 |
No product-specific outer time limit found in the statutes. The 'whichever gives more time' reading of the minor rule comes from a court decision noted with § 37-1-10 (Garrity v. Driskill, 2022). Sources are Justia's 2025 edition; the official NM code site was not reachable.
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 New Mexico cases are filed
This is not a class action. A New Mexico 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 New Mexico has done
New Mexico was not part of the October 2023 joint suit. Its attorney general filed a separate lawsuit against Meta in December 2023 in state district court in Santa Fe. That suit says Instagram and Facebook exposed children to sexual exploitation and other dangers, and that Meta misled families about child safety.
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 New Mexico. Cases for New Mexico 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 New Mexico families
Is there a class action for New Mexico families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including New Mexico, 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 New Mexico?
Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 3 years. A child injured before 18 gets at least until one year after turning 18 to file. If the normal 3-year deadline ends later, the later date applies.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 3 years of the date of death.
Didn’t New Mexico already sue Meta?
New Mexico was not part of the October 2023 joint suit. Its attorney general filed a separate lawsuit against Meta in December 2023 in state district court in Santa Fe. That suit says Instagram and Facebook exposed children to sexual exploitation and other dangers, and that Meta misled families about child safety. That case is brought by the state. It is separate from a family’s own claim for its child.
Do I need a New Mexico 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.