Key facts
- TikTok has settled a lawsuit filed by a minor who claimed the platform damaged his mental health.
- The settlement was confirmed by a law firm representing the plaintiff.
- Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, previously settled an undisclosed sum in the case.
- The trial was set to be a landmark case for social media addiction lawsuits against major tech companies.
- Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube) will continue to face trial.
- A previous bellwether trial resulted in a $6 million verdict against Meta and YouTube.
- The plaintiffs allege that social media platforms are designed to be addictive and harm children.
TikTok has reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by a minor who alleged the platform's design contributed to mental health issues and addiction. The settlement was confirmed by a law firm representing the plaintiff just as a landmark trial was set to commence in Los Angeles.
This case is part of a larger consolidated litigation against social media giants, including Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube, which are still set to face a jury. Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., had previously settled its case for an undisclosed sum.
The plaintiffs, including a 15-year-old identified as R.K.C., accuse the companies of deliberately designing their platforms to be addictive through features like infinite scroll and autoplay, leading to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia in young users. A prior bellwether trial involving a 20-year-old plaintiff, K.G.M., resulted in a $6 million verdict against Meta and YouTube, though both companies plan to appeal.
Attorneys for R.K.C. stated that his case presents a distinct perspective due to his age and gender, and they plan to call witnesses from the previous trial. Judge Carolyn Kuhl, who presided over the first bellwether trial, will also oversee this upcoming case. Jury selection for the trial was scheduled to begin this week.