TikTok has settled a lawsuit brought by a Florida teenager who accused the platform and other social media companies of contributing to his addiction and mental health issues. The settlement, announced Tuesday, avoids a trial for TikTok but leaves Meta’s Instagram and Snap’s Snapchat facing upcoming litigation. The plaintiff, identified in court filings as R.K.C., began using social media at age 8 and claims the platforms’ addictive design features led to depression, anxiety, and sleep loss.
The settlement terms were not disclosed. YouTube previously settled with the plaintiff, while trials against Instagram and Snapchat are scheduled for July in California. The case is part of a broader legal effort targeting social media companies over allegations of harmful design practices. Earlier this month, a jury in Los Angeles found Meta and Google liable for similar claims, awarding millions in damages. Over 3,300 addiction-related lawsuits remain pending in California and federal courts, with school districts and states also pursuing claims.