The Addiction Theory
The breakthrough in the product liability argument came from reframing defendants’ social media platforms as products that were engineered to drive compulsive use. According to the“ addiction theory,” social media companies deliberately designed features like infinite scroll, autoplay, algorithmic recommendations, streaks, and variable notifications to keep users engaged for as long as possible, despite mounting evidence of psychological harm, particularly among minors. Under this product liability framework, the issue is not simply what users saw online, but whether the platforms were intentionally built in a way that fostered addiction-like behavior.
That theory expanded beyond design alone. Plaintiffs also allege the companies failed to adequately warn users and parents about known mental health risks tied to prolonged use, even as internal research reportedly showed growing concerns about anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and compulsive
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