Meta pulls Facebook ads recruiting for social media addiction lawsuits
Meta Removes Ads for Social Media Addiction Lawsuits
Law Firms’ Advertisements Targeted
Meta has taken action by removing advertisements from law firms on its social media platforms, which were promoting clients for upcoming lawsuits linked to social media addiction. The company, which owns Facebook, recently faced setbacks in two major legal cases, including a pivotal trial in California where a young woman secured a victory against Meta and YouTube for social media-related childhood addiction.
Meta’s Statement on the Move
In a public declaration, Meta asserted, “We will not permit trial lawyers to gain financially from our platforms while asserting they are detrimental.” The decision aims to curb the influence of legal firms seeking to leverage the company’s user base for litigation. Emily Jeffcott, representing Morgan & Morgan—one of the affected law firms—contested the move, labeling it “another instance of Meta attempting to dominate the narrative and evade responsibility.”
“The resources Meta is allocating to block these ads could be better utilized in enhancing user safety via tools that minimize excessive usage and identify users under 13,” she noted. “Eliminating the ads doesn’t erase the harm; it just complicates the process for those affected.”
Advertisements Across Multiple Platforms
According to Axios, law firms such as Morgan & Morgan and Sokolove Law had dozens of their advertisements targeting social media addiction clients deactivated. These ads were displayed on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, with some also appearing on Meta’s Audience Network—a part of its ad platform that enables campaigns on third-party services like mobile apps.
Remaining Active Campaigns
As of Friday, several advertisements remain live on Meta’s platforms. For instance, one from Morgan & Morgan highlights potential negative impacts of social media use and emphasizes its commitment to advocating for users. Meta’s advertising guidelines state it can remove ads that “negatively impact our relationship with users or promote content conflicting with our competitive stance, interests, or advertising principles.”
Legal Precedents and Future Implications
The recent rulings in the U.S. have set the stage for more similar lawsuits. In March 2026, a New Mexico court mandated Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users regarding the safety of its platforms for children. A jury determined Meta was accountable for how its platforms endangered young users by exposing them to explicit material and predators. In the California case, a woman was awarded $6 million in damages, with Meta liable for 70% and Google covering the remaining 30%. Initially, Snap and TikTok were also named as defendants, but both reached secret settlements before the trial.
Meta has expressed its intent to challenge both verdicts, disagreeing with the outcomes. Additional reporting by Osmond Chia. Subscribe to our Tech Decoded newsletter for insights on global tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
