Snap Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit as Meta Remains Sole Defendant

Snap has become the latest major technology company to settle a lawsuit alleging that social media platforms contribute to addiction and mental health harms among children and young adults. The company reached what it described as a tentative agreement in a case that was scheduled to go to trial later this month.

The settlement follows a similar agreement reached by TikTok with the plaintiff, identified only by the initials “R.K.C.,” ahead of a jury trial due to begin next week in Los Angeles. YouTube has also resolved its portion of the case, leaving Meta as the only remaining defendant in the legal dispute.

Meta remains the sole defendant.

Meta continues to face increasing legal pressure over child safety and the design of its social media platforms. Earlier this year, the company lost a child safety lawsuit in New Mexico, marking its first courtroom defeat in a case centred on the alleged harms of social media. In March, a Los Angeles jury also ruled against Meta and Google in a separate lawsuit, awarding the plaintiff, identified as “K.G.M.” or Kaley, $6 million in damages.

These legal outcomes are helping fuel a growing number of lawsuits against social media companies. Plaintiffs argue that addictive platform features and recommendation algorithms can negatively affect the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers. As more cases move through the courts, technology companies could face greater pressure to strengthen child safety protections, expand parental controls and redesign platform features to reduce potential risks and avoid future litigation.

The financial terms of Snap’s settlement have not been disclosed. However, Bloomberg reported that the company confirmed an agreement had been reached, bringing an end to its involvement in the case before the trial could begin.