Snap settles with two teens during trial testing claims social media caused depression, eating

Snap Inc. has settled a lawsuit brought by two teenagers who claimed the social media platform was designed to be addictive, leading to their depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The case, one of several pending lawsuits, was chosen as a bellwether to test claims against Snap and similar companies. The plaintiffs, S.J. and K.D.B., allege they became addicted to YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms around ages 9 and 3, respectively.

They attribute their compulsive habits to features like autoplay and infinite scroll. The companies have denied the allegations, stating they have taken measures to ensure the apps are safe for young users. The lawsuit, which began jury selection last week, is the first trial in a series of federal and state lawsuits claiming social media companies knowingly sought to addict children.

A previous trial awarded $6 million to a young woman. Other selected plaintiffs, including a school district, have either settled or dropped their claims. Meta and YouTube previously reached settlements worth up to $18 billion to resolve similar lawsuits.