Social Media & Video Game Litigation for Educational Entities
Schools Are Bearing the Costs of Digital Harm. The Litigation Asks Who Should Pay.
School districts nationwide are evaluating claims seeking recovery of institutional costs they attribute to allegedly addictive or compulsive features of social media platforms and video games. Cal Student Wellness Law helps educational entities understand the claims, evaluate institutional impacts, and determine whether participation is appropriate for their district.
Representing educational entities nationwide
The Issue for School Districts
The Effects Alleged in These Cases Do Not Stop at the Schoolhouse Door.
School-district plaintiffs allege that certain social media and video game product designs contribute to student mental-health problems, behavioral challenges, attendance issues and other conditions that can require schools to devote additional personnel, programs, technology and administrative resources.
The claims asserted by school districts are institutional. They are distinct from individual students' personal-injury claims and focus on costs and operational burdens allegedly borne by the educational entity itself.
What has your district spent—and what resources has it redirected—responding to the effects alleged in these cases?
Areas of Litigation
Two Distinct Areas of Litigation
Social Media Litigation
School districts are participating in federal litigation alleging that particular design and engagement features of major social media platforms contributed to harms affecting students and imposed resulting costs on educational institutions. Defendants dispute liability.
Learn About Social Media LitigationVideo Game Litigation
Separate litigation alleges that particular video game design, reward, monetization and engagement mechanisms can encourage excessive or compulsive use and contribute to harms that affect students and school operations.
Learn About Video Game LitigationA Clarification
This Litigation Is Not Anti-Technology.
Technology, social media and video games can provide educational, recreational and social benefits. The litigation does not depend on the proposition that technology itself is harmful.
The issue is not whether students should use technology. The issue is whether particular product designs allegedly intended to maximize engagement have imposed costs on schools and the students they serve.
The claims focus on the conduct and product-design decisions of the companies involved—not educators' good-faith use of technology in classrooms or legitimate educational programs.
Already Represented in the Social Media Litigation?
Already Have Social Media Counsel?
The Video Game litigation is separate. A district's existing Social Media representation may not include claims involving video game companies, products and design practices.
Keep your Social Media counsel. Add the litigation team already working on the Video Game cases.
Cal Student Wellness Law works with Bullock Legal Group and attorneys already prosecuting developing Video Game claims on behalf of educational entities.
Learn About Video Game ClaimsPotential Institutional Impact
Where District Resources May Be Affected
Mental health and counseling
Attendance and absenteeism
Behavioral intervention
Crisis response
Digital safety and monitoring
Parent and community response
Professional development
Administrative and staff time
Student wellness programs
Technology controls and device management
Additional educational support
The existence of an expenditure or program does not, by itself, establish that the expense is attributable to defendants or legally recoverable. District-specific facts and applicable law matter.
National Scale
1,700+
School-District Actions
Approximately 1,700 school-district complaints and actions have been reported in connection with the Social Media litigation.
$27 Million
Reported School-District Settlement
In 2026, Breathitt County Schools in Kentucky reached settlements with Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube totaling approximately $27 million. That settlement does not establish the value or outcome of another district's claims.
The Legal Team
A Coordinated Litigation Team for Educational Entities
Cal Student Wellness Law brings together attorneys experienced in complex litigation, mass torts and direct representation of educational entities, working with Bullock Legal Group on developing Social Media and Video Game claims.
Jeremy Fietz
Cal Student Wellness Law
Coordinating Counsel
David R. Bush
Cal Student Wellness Law
Coordinating Counsel
Tina Bullock
Bullock Legal Group
Managing Partner
Carasusana "Cara" Wall
Bullock Legal Group
Senior Partner
Research
Examine the Research for Yourself
The scientific and public-health literature examining social media, problematic digital use, video gaming, product design, sleep, mental health, attention, learning and related subjects continues to develop. Our Research Library gives educational leaders direct access to relevant studies, reviews and professional guidance.
Explore Resources & ResearchRepresentation
Nothing Owed Unless There Is a Recovery.
Representation is provided on a 30% contingency fee. There are no upfront attorney fees and no out-of-pocket litigation costs. Attorney fees and litigation expenses are paid from a settlement or other recovery. If there is no recovery, the district owes nothing.
The district retains authority over whether to accept or reject any settlement. Requesting an informational briefing creates no obligation to participate.
Next Step
Get the Facts. Ask the Questions. Then Decide.
An informational briefing gives district leadership an opportunity to understand the litigation, ask questions about institutional claims and evaluate whether further consideration is appropriate.