Meta settles another social media addiction case just before trial
Snap is now the only defendant in the case.
Meta has successfully settled another social media addiction lawsuit just prior to a trial that was scheduled to commence. The case, involving an 18-year-old woman from Mississippi named K.D.B, will now allow the company to avoid a potentially lengthy court battle. K.D.B alleges that her social media usage, in particular, led to sleep deprivation, diminished focus in class and self-harm behaviors inspired by social media videos.
She has previously settled with TikTok and YouTube in similar cases. The settlement terms remain undisclosed, with Meta not immediately responding to inquiries for comment. With Snap as the sole remaining defendant, its CEO Evan Spiegel is set to testify in the upcoming trial, which could span several weeks. Spiegel's testimony would mark his first appearance in a social media addiction trial.
Previously, Snap settled a high-profile case involving comparable claims, but a subsequent jury found Meta and YouTube liable, ordering them to pay a collective $6 million in damages. A spokesperson for Snap clarified that the lawsuit misrepresented how Snapchat functions, emphasizing that the platform opens with a camera rather than a feed or ranking system.
The company asserts that they have implemented safety measures and educational resources in response to the allegations. Meta and Snap have both been embroiled in numerous lawsuits over safety concerns and alleged social media addiction. Recently, Snap also settled a dispute related to its speed filter, which reportedly contributed to several high-speed car crashes involving teenagers.
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