Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has settled a social media addiction lawsuit just days before the trial in Los Angeles was set to begin. The details of the settlement weren’t made public. Snap said both sides were “pleased to have been able to resolve this matter in an amicable manner.”
The lawsuit was filed by 19-year-old K.G.M., who claimed that the way social media platforms are designed left her addicted.
Snap has now settled, but cases against Meta (Instagram), TikTok, and YouTube are still moving forward, with jury selectio.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel was scheduled to appear before the settlement. The other companies haven’t commented on Snap’s deal.
These cases are part of a larger set of social media addiction lawsuits in California. Plaintiffs argue that platforms are designed to keep users hooked through algorithms and notifications. Social media companies counter that the evidence doesn’t prove they caused mental health issues like depression or eating disorders.
