LOS ANGELES — Meta has settled a social media addiction lawsuit brought by an 18-year-old woman, resolving the claims before trial, a lawyer for the plaintiff said, CBS News reported.
The woman, identified in court documents as K.D.B., alleged that Meta and Snapchat parent company Snap designed their platforms to foster addictive behavior that contributed to her mental health struggles. Snap remains a defendant.
Another plaintiff, identified as S.J., settled with Meta last week, and both plaintiffs had separately reached settlements with TikTok and YouTube before trial, according to CBS News.
“We remain committed to improving safety for kids on social media apps and holding tech companies accountable, and we are pleased to have brought this matter to a just resolution on behalf of our client,” said Emily Jeffcott, trial counsel for K.D.B.
A spokesperson for the Lanier Law Firm, which represents the plaintiffs, said they will go forward against Snap, alleging features such as Snapstreaks, Snapscores and push notifications kept young users hooked. Snap disputes the allegations.
Jury selection began this week in Los Angeles, with opening statements expected in early November. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said they expect the trial to last into mid-December. Terms of the Meta settlement were not disclosed.
Sources: CBS News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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