Missouri Social Media Harm Lawyers Provide Justice for Families
Holding Platforms Accountable When Kids Are Put at Risk
Social media companies have built platforms used by millions of children—but safety has not always kept pace. When minors are exposed to predators, sexual exploitation, or harmful content, families are left asking how it was allowed to happen.
In many cases, the issue isn’t just who used the platform—it’s how the platform was built and managed. Most of the time, these companies just care about profits, instead of doing what it takes to protect the users, many of whom they know will be children.
At Wallentine Injury Law, our Missouri personal injury lawyers represent families seeking answers when a child has been harmed in connection with social media, gaming, or other online use.
Cases involving harm to minors on social media may include:
- Predators connecting with underage kids through direct messaging or app messaging
- Repeated sexual content sent to or requested from minors, which oftentimes turns into sexual extortion
- Features that allow strangers to easily locate or engage with children. These encounters often lead to rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, or human trafficking.
How Does Harm Occur When Online Platforms Negligently Provide Services?
Teenager Mark formed an online relationship with an adult through a digital platform. Over time, he was persuaded to share compromising images of himself. Those photos and videos were then used to manipulate and extort him.
Tragically, the situation escalated, and Mark took his own life.
Cases like this highlight the serious risks minors face in online environments. Sadly, suicide is not uncommon in such cases. When platforms fail to implement effective safeguards—or fail to respond to known dangers—those failures can have devastating consequences.
These situations are occurring across the country. Greater accountability and stronger protections are critical to preventing similar harm in the future. Companies like Roblox, Facebook, and Instagram need accountability. Our attorneys want to bring justice for hurting children and their families.
It is not a viable excuse for the online app to claim the child chose to interact or bypass their safety protocols. It is up to the online app to have sufficient safety measures in place to prevent such harm to our underage kids, who are still developing.
These cases often involve more than individual misconduct—they may involve failures at the platform level.
The Focus: Platform Responsibility
Technology companies often argue they are not responsible for user behavior. But they are responsible for decisions like:
- Whether effective and meaningful age verification exists
- Whether minors are protected from unknown contacts
- How recommendation algorithms operate
- Whether design features increase or reduce risk
- Whether harmful or dangerous content and messages are flagged
When companies choose convenience, engagement, or profit over safety, Missouri law may provide a path to accountability.
Warning Signs for Parents
Families often notice changes before they understand the cause. Watch for:
- Increased secrecy around devices or apps
- Contact with unfamiliar individuals
- Emotional distress following online activity
- Sudden behavioral or personality changes
- Evidence of inappropriate messages or images
- Withdrawal, anxiety, or compulsive usage patterns
- Sudden change in academic performance or sleep patterns
These signs deserve attention.
Protecting Your Child and Preserving Evidence
If you suspect harm:
- Save screenshots, messages, usernames, and account details
- Preserve devices and avoid deleting data
- Keep a written timeline of events
- Seek appropriate medical or law enforcement assistance if needed
- Consult a Missouri social media harm lawyer as soon as possible. You may have a valid legal case. A New Mexico Court just awarded $375 Million for this kind of case.
Speak With a Missouri Attorney Today
If your child has been harmed through social media, you deserve clear answers and strong advocacy. We are here to evaluate your situation and help you determine the best path forward.
Missouri has a strong interest in protecting children, and last year the legislature enacted a law requiring adult websites to verify that users are over 18 prior to letting them access the site.
Call Wallentine Injury Law at 816-934-6333 or contact us online for a confidential consultation. You Need Jerry!
