How long do I have to make a social media harm claim?
In England and Wales the usual limit is three years, but for harm suffered as a child the clock does not start until the 18th birthday. That is why many people can still claim well into their twenties.
The short answer
A claim for personal injury, which includes psychological harm such as anxiety or depression, must normally be started within three years. The three years run from the date the injury happened or, if later, from the date you first knew that it was significant and that someone else’s act or omission was responsible. These are the rules in the Limitation Act 1980.
Whether a particular claim is in time depends on the facts, so this is general information, not legal advice. A solicitor from one of our partner firms can look at your own dates.
If you were a child when the harm happened
For someone under 18, the three years do not begin until their 18th birthday. The usual deadline is therefore the 21st birthday. If you used Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat or YouTube as a child, that is the date to work from.
The knowledge rule can move the date. If you only came to understand later that the harm was linked to how an app was designed, the three years may run from that point instead.
If you are now over 21
You may still have a claim. Two things can help. The first is the date-of-knowledge rule above. The second is that a court has a discretion to allow a claim to go ahead outside the time limit where it would be fair to do so. That discretion is not automatic, and the longer the delay, the harder it is to persuade a court, so it is worth finding out where you stand early. Our page for young people explains how to start.
If you are claiming for your child
A child’s claim is brought by a litigation friend, usually a parent or guardian, and the court normally has to approve any settlement. Because time does not run against a child until the age of 18, there is no immediate deadline. Waiting still carries a cost: records, messages and memories are easier to gather while they are recent. Our guide for parents sets out what to collect.
If someone lacks mental capacity
Time also does not run while a person lacks the mental capacity to manage their own affairs, and starts when that ends, if it does.
What registering does and does not do
Registering interest on this site is free, but it does not start a claim and it does not stop time running. No claim has been filed yet, and whether the court makes a Group Litigation Order is a matter for the court. Read how the process works and the frequently asked questions for the full picture, and see what courts and regulators have found so far.
Other countries
Scotland, Northern Ireland and other countries have their own time limits. The information on this page applies to England and Wales.
Useful first steps
Work out the date you turned 18, write down when you first connected your difficulties with the apps, and ask each company for the data it holds with our free data request letter tool. The case page summarises the public record.
Check where you stand
Free, confidential and around two minutes.