KP Law announces intention to pursue potential claim against social media companies

KP Law has today announced the launch of a potential claim on behalf of individuals in the UK who have suffered significant harm linked to prolonged social media usage. This claim is led by Tom Longstaff and Duncan Hedar, as part of their collaboration with Mark Lanier, the leading trial lawyer who recently secured a landmark verdict in the United States.

The potential claim alleges the design of social media platforms can substantially contribute to psychological injury, including depression and anxiety.

While the legal framework in the UK differs from the US, the underlying truth still stands: Meta and Google deliberately designed platforms that could cause harm to children yet neglected to provide adequate warning. By putting profit before people, these companies have created products that are designed to be addictive and have caused significant damage to thousands. This negligence needs answering for.

Tom Longstaff, Partner and Head of Product Liability, comments:

“The UK is experiencing a mental health crisis and studies have linked heavy social media usage with increased rates of poor mental health, particularly amongst young people.

As shown in the recent landmark case in the United States, social media companies designed their platforms to be addictive; they were built to encourage heavy usage and reliance. This has and continues to put children in danger, ultimately ruining the lives of thousands.

I would urge anyone who believes they or their child has suffered as a consequence of social media addiction to speak to KP Law today.”

The claimant in K.G.M v Meta el al (often referred to as ‘the social media addiction trial’) was represented by leading litigator and founder of The Lanier Law Firm, Mark Lanier. Tom Longstaff and Duncan Hedar (Partner and Head of Competition at KP Law) have a longstanding collaboration with Lanier, having established Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts LLP in 2022. In 2024, Keller Postman UK and Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts merged to create KP Law.