Meta settled a high‑profile lawsuit over child social media addiction, averting a trial slated for next week in Los Angeles Superior Court. The case was one of nine bellwether suits filed against Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap alleging that platform designs—such as infinite scroll and algorithmic feeds—are addictive like cigarettes. The plaintiff, an 18‑year‑old Mississippi woman identified as K.
D. B., had accused Meta of negligence and personal injury, seeking damages after a similar case earlier this year resulted in a $6 million jury award against the company. YouTube and TikTok also reached settlements with K.
D. B., leaving Snap as the only defendant expected to go to trial. Meta also resolved a parallel case with another minor plaintiff, S.
J. from Illinois. Emily Jeffcott, counsel for K. D.
B., said the resolution advances safety for kids, while Meta declined to comment. The settlements follow a string of recent legal setbacks for Big Tech and could set precedents for future claims.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing