Meta settles another social media addiction case just before trial

Meta, the US technology company that operates Facebook and Instagram, has settled another lawsuit over social media addiction, allowing it to avoid a trial that was due to begin next month in Los Angeles. Snap, the maker of the Snapchat app, is now the only defendant left in the case, which is one of several closely watched suits against social media platforms.

The plaintiff is an 18-year-old woman from Mississippi identified as K.D.B. According to Reuters, she has described staying awake for hours scrolling social media, losing focus in class and harming herself using methods shown in social media videos. Jury selection began in Los Angeles earlier this week.

The settlement

On Friday, her attorney Emily Jeffcott announced the deal with Meta, following earlier settlements with TikTok and YouTube. Jeffcott said the legal team remains committed to improving safety for children on social media apps and holding tech companies accountable. The terms were not disclosed, and Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Snap's position

The trial against Snap could last several weeks. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is expected to testify, which would be the first time the company's founder has appeared in a social media addiction trial. Snap previously settled another high-profile case with similar claims. In that case a jury later ruled against Meta and YouTube, and the two were ordered to pay $6 million in damages.

A Snap spokesperson did not comment on Meta's settlement but said the lawsuit misrepresents how Snapchat works. According to the spokesperson, the app opens to a camera rather than a feed, and the company has built in safeguards, safety tools and educational resources. Snap also recently settled a long-running lawsuit over its speed filter, which is alleged to have played a role in several high-speed car crashes involving teenagers.