Snap Settles Los Angeles Lawsuit Over Youth Social Media Addiction
Snap Inc. has resolved a high-profile US lawsuit accusing the company of designing Snapchat to cause youth social media addiction, averting a trial that was scheduled to begin with opening statements in Los Angeles.
The settlement was announced on Monday by lawyers representing two young plaintiffs who brought the case, just two days before proceedings were set to start in a Los Angeles court, according to Kleine Zeitung. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Plaintiffs Allege Psychological Harm from Snapchat Design
The two young plaintiffs claimed that Snapchat was intentionally engineered to foster compulsive use among minors, leading to severe mental health struggles. According to court filings noted by Kleine Zeitung, the plaintiffs alleged that their heavy use of the platform resulted in depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that their primary objective is to hold major technology platforms accountable for how their business practices impact children across the United States. Snap issued a statement saying the company is pleased to resolve the matter amicably.
Broader Legal Actions Target Social Media Giants
The resolution follows a similar legal maneuver by Meta Platforms, which also averted a separate trial through a settlement late last week. Over the past several years, thousands of lawsuits have been filed across the United States alleging that social media platforms cause psychological harm to children and adolescents.
The wider litigation previously reached a milestone in March during a bellwether trial in Los Angeles. In that case, a jury ordered Meta and Google to pay six million dollars to a 20-year-old plaintiff who argued that Instagram and YouTube made her an addict as a minor and inflicted lasting psychological damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Snap Settlement
What specific allegations did the plaintiffs make against Snap?
The two young plaintiffs claimed that Snapchat was deliberately designed to create dependency among underage users, which they alleged directly caused them to suffer from depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
How much did Snap agree to pay in the settlement?
The exact financial terms and monetary amount of the settlement were not made public by the legal teams or the company.
When was the trial scheduled to begin?
Opening statements for the Los Angeles trial were scheduled to begin on Wednesday, just two days after the settlement was announced on Monday.
What previous legal decisions preceded this settlement?
In March, a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and Google to pay six million dollars to a 20-year-old plaintiff in a similar bellwether trial involving allegations of youth social media addiction and psychological harm.
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