North Dakota social media addiction lawsuit
Families in North Dakota are holding Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube responsible for harm to their children, one case at a time. Here is who may qualify, how North Dakota cases are filed, and the deadline that applies.
Quick answer
North Dakota 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 North Dakota, an injury claim generally must be filed within 6 years; for a child injured before 18, the clock pauses, but the extra time cannot run past one year after the 18th birthday. In practice the deadline is the later of 6 years from the injury or age 19. A free review checks your family’s deadline.
Who may qualify in North Dakota
- The child lives or lived in North Dakota 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
North Dakota filing deadlines
| Personal injury / product liability | 6 years | Most injury claims must be filed within 6 years. | N.D.C.C. § 28-01-16(5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injured as a minor | — | For a child injured before 18, the clock pauses, but the extra time cannot run past one year after the 18th birthday. In practice the deadline is the later of 6 years from the injury or age 19. | N.D.C.C. § 28-01-25 |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years, usually counted from the date of death. | N.D.C.C. § 28-01-18(4) |
| Product liability outer limit (repose) | — | A product claim can only succeed if the injury or death happened within 10 years of the product's first purchase or 11 years of its manufacture. This applies to children too. It does not apply if the company knew of a defect and failed to warn users. | N.D.C.C. § 28-01.3-08 |
The product time limit applies 'regardless of minority' (§ 28-01.3-08(2)). The 'later of 6 years or age 19' reading applies the cap in § 28-01-25. North Dakota's 6-year injury deadline is unusually long.
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 North Dakota cases are filed
This is not a class action. A North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.
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 North Dakota. Cases for North Dakota 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 North Dakota families
Is there a class action for North Dakota families?
No. Each child’s claim is filed individually. Federal cases from every state, including North Dakota, 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 North Dakota?
Most injury claims must be filed within 6 years. For a child injured before 18, the clock pauses, but the extra time cannot run past one year after the 18th birthday. In practice the deadline is the later of 6 years from the injury or age 19.
What if my child died?
A wrongful death claim must be filed within 2 years, usually counted from the date of death.
Didn’t North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.