TikTok Settles in Landmark Social Media Addiction Lawsuit
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just as the trial was set to begin, TikTok reached a settlement in a prominent lawsuit concerning social media addiction, as confirmed by the plaintiff’s legal team.
The lawsuit targeted TikTok alongside Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube, accusing these platforms of intentionally addicting and harming young users. A similar lawsuit involving Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc., was settled last week for an undisclosed amount.
Although the terms of TikTok’s settlement remain undisclosed, the company has not provided any immediate comments on the matter.
The case centers around a 19-year-old known only as “KGM,” whose legal battle could set a precedent for thousands of similar cases against social media companies. “KGM” is among three plaintiffs chosen for bellwether trials, which serve as test cases to gauge potential outcomes and damages, according to Clay Calvert, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Joseph VanZandt, co-lead counsel for the plaintiff, announced that TikTok continues to be a defendant in other related cases, while the proceedings against Meta and YouTube are set to move forward as planned.
Jury selection is underway at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, marking the first time these companies will present their cases to a jury. The trial’s outcome could significantly impact their operations and policies concerning young users. The jury selection process is expected to continue through Thursday, with 75 prospective jurors being questioned daily.
Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, stated, “This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly, new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products.”
The plaintiff “KGM” alleges that early exposure to social media led to addiction, worsening depression and suicidal thoughts. The lawsuit contends that these platforms were designed to be addictive for children, aiming to increase profits, a claim that could bypass the companies’ First Amendment protections and Section 230, which shields tech firms from liability for user-generated content.
The lawsuit further charges that “Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue,” drawing parallels to tactics used by the tobacco industry.
High-profile executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are anticipated to testify in the trial, which is expected to extend over six to eight weeks. Comparisons have been made to the Big Tobacco trials of the 1990s, which culminated in a major settlement mandating cigarette companies to pay for health costs and restrict youth-targeted marketing.
The lawsuit asserts, “Plaintiffs are not merely the collateral damage of Defendants’ products. They are the direct victims of the intentional product design choices made by each Defendant. They are the intended targets of the harmful features that pushed them into self-destructive feedback loops.”
In response, the tech companies have denied allegations of deliberately harming children. They emphasize the safety measures implemented over the years and argue they are not responsible for third-party content on their platforms.
Meta, in a recent blog post, stated, “Recently, a number of lawsuits have attempted to place the blame for teen mental health struggles squarely on social media companies. But this oversimplifies a serious issue. Clinicians and researchers find that mental health is a deeply complex and multifaceted issue, and trends regarding teens’ well-being aren’t clear-cut or universal.”
A Meta spokesperson reiterated the company’s disagreement with the lawsuit’s claims, asserting confidence that evidence will demonstrate Meta’s commitment to supporting young people.
Google spokesperson José Castañeda dismissed the allegations against YouTube as “simply not true,” emphasizing the company’s dedication to providing young users with a safer experience.
TikTok has yet to issue a statement regarding the recent settlement.
This lawsuit is among the first in a series this year aiming to hold social media platforms accountable for negatively impacting children’s mental health. A federal bellwether trial in Oakland, California, scheduled for June, will represent school districts suing social media companies over similar concerns.
Additionally, more than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, alleging that the company’s design features on Instagram and Facebook contribute to youth addiction and mental health issues.
Similar lawsuits against TikTok are also underway in more than a dozen states.
In New Mexico, jury selection is imminent for a trial addressing claims that Meta has failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation. State prosecutors contend that internal documents reveal Meta’s platforms expose approximately 100,000 children daily to sexual harassment.
Meta has countered these claims, highlighting its use of advanced technology, collaboration with child safety experts, and reporting of harmful content to national authorities.
