Meta Platforms has settled with a second teen plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, were designed to be addictive and caused mental health issues, attorneys confirmed on October 30. The settlement with K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi, follows an earlier resolution with S.J., a 16-year-old from Illinois, both of whom had sued Meta, Snap Inc., TikTok, and YouTube. With Meta now out of the case, the trial will proceed solely against Snap Inc. starting in early November in Los Angeles state court.
The lawsuit is part of a series of bellwether cases selected to test claims that social media platforms intentionally foster compulsive use among young users. Plaintiffs allege features such as autoplay, infinite scroll, and algorithmic recommendations contributed to their mental health struggles, including depression and eating disorders. Both plaintiffs had previously settled claims against TikTok and YouTube, leaving Snap as the sole defendant.
Meta’s Response and Ongoing Litigation
Meta has stated it remains committed to improving safety for teens on its platforms. A company spokesperson emphasized its existing protections, including time limits, no access at night, and no notifications during school hours, as part of a 2024 agreement with 52 bipartisan attorneys general. The spokesperson added that trials, dismissals, and settlements are common in bellwether litigation, and Meta will continue defending itself in court.
Snap’s Legal Exposure and Public Scrutiny
The trial marks the first time Snap Inc. and CEO Evan Spiegel will face a jury over allegations that Snapchat’s design contributed to harms suffered by young users. While Meta and other companies have settled multiple cases out of court, Snap has not yet resolved claims related to its platform’s alleged role in mental health crises among teens. The case has drawn attention from parents and advocacy groups, some of whom allege Snapchat’s features enabled harmful behaviors.
Background and Broader Context
The litigation stems from thousands of lawsuits filed by individuals, school districts, and government entities across the U.S., accusing social media companies of knowingly designing addictive features for young users. A prior bellwether trial in March found Meta and Google liable for psychological harms suffered by a 20-year-old plaintiff, resulting in a $6 million verdict. Internal documents from that case were cited by plaintiffs as evidence that companies were aware of risks but failed to act.
Plaintiffs in the current case argue they began using platforms like YouTube as early as age 3 and others around age 9, developing compulsive habits they blame on design choices. Legal filings state that Snapchat’s use from a young age contributed to their mental health problems, though the company has not publicly detailed its defense strategy ahead of the trial.
Terms of Meta’s settlement with K.D.B. were not disclosed. The lead counsel for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.