Meta settled a new lawsuit over teens' social media addiction
American technology company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, reached settlements with two plaintiffs who accused it of creating social networks that are addictive and harmful to the mental health of minors. Thanks to the settlements, the company avoided a new trial that was set to begin in Los Angeles in November.
This was reported on October 30 by Bloomberg Law and CBS News.
The latest settlement was reached with an 18-year-old Mississippi resident, identified in court documents as K.D.B. She alleged that using Instagram and Facebook since childhood contributed to the development of addiction, depression, and eating disorders.
Previously, Meta settled similar claims from another participant in the litigation — a 16-year-old girl from Illinois, identified as S.J.
Both plaintiffs filed lawsuits back in 2023. The original defendants were Meta, Snap, which owns Snapchat, as well as TikTok and YouTube. The latter two platforms previously reached agreements with the plaintiffs.
The financial terms of the new Meta settlements are not disclosed. Settling the dispute does not mean the company admits legal liability for the alleged harm.
Now the only defendant in the upcoming trial is Snap. Jury selection began on October 28, and opening statements are expected in early November. If the parties do not reach an agreement, the trial could continue until mid-December.
The plaintiffs allege that social platform developers intentionally used mechanisms that encourage prolonged and compulsive use of the apps. Among such features they cite infinite scrolling and autoplay of videos.
Meta denies allegations of intentionally designing addiction for minors. A company spokesperson said that litigation and out-of-court settlements are a routine part of resolving such cases. The company intends to continue defending its position and reminds about implemented safety tools for teens.
The current case is part of a group of lawsuits selected to test the legal arguments of the parties. Their outcomes could affect the handling of thousands of similar suits against social platforms in U.S. courts.
In March 2026, a Los Angeles jury already found Meta and YouTube liable in another case related to the alleged harm of social media to a minor user. The plaintiff was awarded $6 million in damages.
Additionally, in August Meta agreed to settle a large-scale dispute with attorneys general of U.S. states and territories. According to the company's filing, the settlement provides for potential payments of up to $18.59 billion and changes to Facebook and Instagram for users under 18.
Specifically, it involves limiting app usage time, additional parental control measures, and protecting teens from unwanted notifications.
Thus, the current settlement removes Meta from this particular lawsuit, but does not stop other litigations related to the alleged impact of social media on the mental health of children and adolescents.
