Social media addiction cases are not won with emotional testimony. They are won with documents showing when use began, when symptoms appeared and what professionals said. This guide explains what to gather and how to request it, even if you do not speak English.
1. Mental-Health Records
Ask each therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist for your child's complete file: session notes, diagnoses (with codes), treatment plans and prescriptions. In California you are entitled to a copy under state law and HIPAA; the clinic may charge a reasonable fee and has 15 days to respond to a written request.
2. ER Visits and Hospitalizations
Request the discharge summary and triage notes from any ER visit for self-harm, suicide attempt, anxiety crisis or eating-disorder complications. Hospitals have "Health Information Management" or "Medical Records" departments, you can ask for the form in Spanish.
3. School Records
Under federal FERPA, parents can request the full education record: counselor reports, 504 or IEP plans, discipline and attendance records, and emails about behavior changes. Request it in writing from the district office; the school has 45 days to respond, and in California generally 5 business days.
4. Digital Evidence
Screenshots of "Screen Time" (iPhone) or "Digital Wellbeing" (Android), usernames for each account, approximate creation date of each account, and any emails from the platforms (sign-up confirmations). Do not delete the accounts or the history.
5. A Timeline
Write on one sheet: date of birth, age each app started, hours per day at different stages, date of first symptoms, date of first diagnosis, treatments. This timeline is the first thing a lawyer will review.
We Help
If the process feels overwhelming, you are not alone. At Centro de Acción Legal we prepare the records requests for you, in Spanish, and explain what each document means. The consultation is free.