SMVLC Interviewed on CNN About How Social Media Affects the Lives of Teens and How CJ Dawley’s Parents Feel it Contributed to the Death of their Son

The Dawleys are among a growing number of families suing social media companies for wrongful death and injury. Matthew Bergman is one of the lawsuits’ leading attorneys and founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center.

Matthew P. Bergman: “Well, we’re hoping is that the social media companies will design safer products.”

Is there any legal precedent for wrongful death when it comes to social media?

Matthew P. Bergman: “Well, there are a few cases, but this is very much cutting edge litigation. We’re only now learning exactly what these algorithms are, and we know only now, developing and having the scientific research that supports a cause and effect relationship between social media addiction and mental health crisis among teenagers.”

The lawsuits come just months after thousands of leaked Facebook documents showed that Facebook and Instagram both knew that their products’ algorithms can be harmful to children.