Meta settles social media addiction lawsuit before trial

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:56 · Archive

Meta has settled a lawsuit brought by two teenagers who alleged the company designed Instagram and Facebook to be addictive.

Meta has settled a social media addiction lawsuit brought by two teenagers before trial was set to begin in Los Angeles. One plaintiff, identified as K.D.B., an 18-year-old woman, alleged that Meta designed Instagram and Facebook to foster addictive behaviour, causing her mental health problems and disordered eating. Meta had already settled with the other plaintiff, S.J., a 16-year-old girl, days before jury selection began. Settlement terms were not disclosed.

The trial will now proceed against Snapchat parent company Snap, the only remaining defendant. Both plaintiffs had previously settled with TikTok and YouTube before this case began. The lawsuit was selected as a test case among thousands of similar pending lawsuits, meaning the jury's verdict could influence how tech companies and plaintiffs resolve comparable claims.

Meta said in a statement that trials, dismissals and settlements are common in such litigation. The company said it will continue to defend itself in court and noted it has spent more than a decade building protections for teenagers. A spokesperson for Snap did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

How it is being reported

• Meta settles lawsuit with teen who sued for social media addictionMeta settled a social media addiction lawsuit filed by an 18-year-old Mississippi woman on Friday, after jury selection had already begun.UPI · 30 Oct, 20:34
• Meta settles another social media addiction case just before trialSnap is now the only defendant in the case.Engadget · 30 Oct, 20:21
• Meta settles social media addiction lawsuit, averting trialTwo plaintiffs alleged that Meta and Snap designed their social media platforms to foster addictive behavior.CBS News · 30 Oct, 18:36
• Meta settles with teen over claims social media caused depression, eating disordersThe settlement came after jury selection began on Wednesday. Meta had settled with another teen plaintiff days before the trial.New York Post · 30 Oct, 16:34

In this story: Meta · Snap · Instagram · Facebook · TikTok · YouTube · Los Angeles

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log