New York social media addiction lawsuit
Families in New York 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 York cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
New York 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 York, an injury claim generally must be filed within 3 years; for a child injured before 18, the clock pauses. The child then has until 3 years after turning 18 (age 21) to file. The 10-year cap in this law does not apply to children's injury claims other than medical malpractice. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in New York
- The child lives or lived in New York 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 York filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 3 years | Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 3 years. | N.Y. CPLR § 214(5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | For a child injured before 18, the clock pauses. The child then has until 3 years after turning 18 (age 21) to file. The 10-year cap in this law does not apply to children's injury claims other than medical malpractice. | N.Y. CPLR § 208(a) |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the date of death. If there is a criminal case over the same event, the family gets at least 1 year after that case ends. | N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1 |
No general product-liability outer time limit. The Grieving Families Act, which would have changed wrongful death law, was vetoed again in December 2025, so the 2-year rule still stands. Claims based on toxic exposure have a separate discovery rule (CPLR 214-c), which this summary does not cover.
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 York cases are filed
This is not a class action. A New York 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 York has done
This state's attorney general joined the joint lawsuit 33 states filed against Meta (Instagram and Facebook) in federal court in Northern California on October 24, 2023. The suit says Meta built features to hook kids and misled the public about the risks.
New York's attorney general led a group of 14 attorneys general that sued TikTok in October 2024. New York filed in New York State Supreme Court, which turned down TikTok's request to dismiss the case on May 28, 2025. The case is pending.
The SAFE for Kids Act, signed in June 2024, bars social media apps from showing users under 18 an algorithm-driven feed, or sending them notifications between midnight and 6 a.m., without a parent's consent. The attorney general issued final rules on July 28, 2026, and the law takes effect January 25, 2027.
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 York. Cases for New York 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 York families
Is there a class action for New York families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including New York, 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 York?
Most injury claims, including claims that a product caused harm, must be filed within 3 years. For a child injured before 18, the clock pauses. The child then has until 3 years after turning 18 (age 21) to file. The 10-year cap in this law does not apply to children's injury claims other than medical malpractice.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years of the date of death. If there is a criminal case over the same event, the family gets at least 1 year after that case ends.
Didn’t New York already sue Meta?
This state's attorney general joined the joint lawsuit 33 states filed against Meta (Instagram and Facebook) in federal court in Northern California on October 24, 2023. The suit says Meta built features to hook kids 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 New York 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.