Another company scheduled to appear, TikTok, settled in a lawsuit shortly before the trials were set to begin.
Hearings will begin this week in California for a lawsuit accusing major social media companies of fueling youth addiction, with Meta and YouTube scheduled to testify. The case, which centers on whether social media platforms design its features intentionally to hook minors and harm their mental health, comes after a last-minute settlement by TikTok, another defendant originally slated to appear. Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta Founder and CEO who has testified in similar cases, could be called to appear later.
The lawsuit alleges that features such as algorithm-driven recommendations, autoplay, and endless scrolling were deliberately engineered to keep young users engaged for extended periods, despite internal research warning of potential harm. The suit further alleges each of the defendants knew of the research in advance of building their platforms and approved the addition of features in full knowledge of the addictive appeal and drawbacks for underage users. The plaintiffs argue the companies prioritized profit and ad-revenue while ignoring long-term data and risks.
The case originated from several lawsuits filed over the past six years by parents, school districts, and state attorneys general who say rising rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among teenagers match closely with increased social media use. California consolidated many of the claims into a single proceeding. The companies denied those allegations, countering that the science behind social media addiction remains unsettled and that broader factors such as a tense political atmosphere and the COVID-19 pandemic are more to blame for spiraling mental health diagnoses.
Just days before the trial was set to kick off, TikTok’s settlement reshaped the case. The company agreed to resolve the claims without admitting wrongdoing, avoiding a public courtroom battle while leaving Meta and YouTube to face the remaining allegations. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said the agreement highlighted the seriousness of the claims and validated concerns about youth addiction, while TikTok said the settlement reflects its “ongoing investments in safety tools and content limits for younger users.” Joseph VanZandt, a lead attorney for the plaintiffs, called the settlement a “good deal”, but declined to disclose the exact monetary figure.
Legal experts say the outcome of the hearings could carry far-reaching consequences for the big tech industry, with some sources calling it the “big tobacco moment” in the age of social media. A ruling against the companies could expose platforms to increased liability and accelerate efforts to more heavily regulate social media. A victory for the defense could blunt momentum for stricter oversight on new features, particularly those containing Artificial Intelligence.
“This is the first time families have ever had their right to a day in court,” Matthew Bergman, the Social Media Victims Law Center attorney representing plaintiffs told the media last week. He called the trial a “historic moment” and highlighted the key figures that could be called to testify, including Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram head Adam Mosseri, and YouTube CEO Neil Mohan.
