MDL 3047 is a multidistrict litigation consolidating hundreds of lawsuits against social media companies including Meta, TikTok, Snap, and Google. The lawsuits allege these companies designed their platforms to be addictive to children and teenagers, causing mental health harm including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Which companies are defendants in MDL 3047?

The primary defendants include Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok (ByteDance), Snap Inc. (Snapchat), and Google (YouTube). These companies are accused of using manipulative design patterns like infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendations to maximize engagement regardless of harm to young users.

What are addictive design patterns in social media?

Addictive design patterns include features like infinite scroll (endless content feeds), variable reward schedules (unpredictable likes/notifications), social validation loops, autoplay videos, and algorithmic recommendations optimized for engagement over wellbeing. These patterns exploit psychological vulnerabilities, particularly in developing adolescent brains.

MDL 3047 Case Tracker | Harmed By Design

The Social Media Lawsuit

Over 2,000 families, schools, and state governments have sued companies like Meta, TikTok, and Snap. They claim these apps were designed to be addictive—and that the companies knew they were hurting kids.

Official case name and court details

Case: In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation

Number: 4:22-md-03047-YGR

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of California

"MDL" stands for Multidistrict Litigation—a way to handle many similar lawsuits together in one court.

What's This Case About?

This Multidistrict Litigation consolidates thousands of lawsuits alleging that social media companies knowingly designed products with features that addict minors and cause serious mental health harms.

The Core Legal Theory: Unlike prior social media lawsuits that focused on harmful *content*, MDL 3047 targets the *product design itself*. Plaintiffs argue that features like infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and algorithmic amplification constitute "design defects" under traditional product liability law—similar to how a car manufacturer could be liable for a defective brake system.

Why Section 230 May Not Apply: The defendants have consistently invoked Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields platforms from liability for third-party content. However, Judge Rogers has ruled that Section 230 does not protect against claims that the *product's design* (not user content) causes harm. This is a potentially landmark distinction.

Plaintiffs Include: - Thousands of families with children who suffered mental health crises - Hundreds of school districts seeking compensation for counseling and intervention costs - Over 40 State Attorneys General in coordinated actions - Individual personal injury plaintiffs

Estimated Scope: - 2,243+ pending cases as of January 2026 - Billions of dollars in potential damages - Could fundamentally reshape how social media products are designed

Presiding Judge

Hon. Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers

Status

active

Stakes

"This litigation challenges the fundamental business model of the internet. If successful, it could force companies to redesign algorithms to prioritize safety over engagement."

Pending Cases:2,243+

State AGs:40+

Potential Damages:$Billions

Test Cases Going to Trial

With thousands of lawsuits, the court picked a handful to try first. These "test cases" will show how juries respond—and help everyone decide whether to settle or keep fighting.

School District Cases (6)

Personal Injury Cases (5)

Procedural Timeline

JAN 2026trial start

First Bellwether Trial Begins

Harford County Public Schools v. Meta et al. begins trial in Oakland, CA. First jury to hear evidence about social media design and youth mental health. Trial ongoing with 6-8 week expected duration. Verdict will influence thousands of pending cases.

NOV 2025settlement

Snap Settles Select Cases

Snap Inc. becomes first major defendant to settle, resolving an undisclosed number of cases including at least one bellwether. Terms confidential but signals significant litigation risk.

OCT 2024ruling

School Districts Can Proceed

Judge Rogers rules that school districts have standing to sue under public nuisance theory and can recover costs for mental health interventions, counseling, and crisis response.

JUN 2024bellwether selection

School District Bellwether Cases Selected

Court selects six bellwether cases from school districts in Maryland (Harford County), Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Arizona. These test trials will determine the trajectory of the entire MDL.

APR 2024ruling

Meta Motion to Dismiss Denied

Judge Rogers largely denies Meta's motion to dismiss claims brought by 30+ U.S. states, allowing state attorneys general claims to proceed alongside private litigation.

FEB 2024order

Internal Documents Ordered Produced

Court orders defendants to produce internal research, A/B testing results, and communications about minor safety. Expected to reveal extent of corporate knowledge about harms.

NOV 2023ruling

Motion to Dismiss Denied - Section 230 Ruling

In a landmark 65-page ruling, Judge Rogers holds that Section 230 does not protect defendants from product liability claims based on design features. Meta and other defendants must face negligence claims.

OCT 2023ruling

California State Court Section 230 Ruling

Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl rules that plaintiffs' claims in the California JCCP can proceed despite Section 230 protections and First Amendment challenges, allowing 800+ state court cases to advance.

APR 2023filing

Amended Master Complaint Filed

Plaintiffs file the 300+ page Amended Master Complaint detailing product liability theories and citing internal company documents showing defendants knew their products harmed minors.

NOV 2022consolidation

California JCCP Consolidation

Over 800 social media cases consolidated in Los Angeles Superior Court under California's Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings (JCCP), assigned to Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl.

OCT 2022consolidation

MDL Consolidation Ordered

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidates nearly 600 initial federal cases into MDL No. 3047 in the Northern District of California, assigned to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.