TikTok has reached a settlement with a young woman suing the company over social media addiction, just hours before jury selection was set to begin in California. The terms of the settlement remain confidential, according to the Social Media Victims Law Center.
Lawsuit Over Addictive Algorithms
The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman referred to as KGM, claimed TikTok’s algorithms led her to spend excessive time on social media and harmed her mental health. She had also previously filed claims against Snapchat, which settled last week. Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, and Google, which owns YouTube, are also named defendants.
The lawsuit marks a major shift in how courts approach tech companies, focusing on the design of algorithms, notifications, and other features rather than the content posted by users.
Companies Defend Themselves
The social media giants argued that KGM’s evidence does not prove they caused her alleged depression or eating disorders. They also cited Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which limits their liability for third-party content.
KGM’s lawyer, Matthew Bergman, said the case could be the first time a jury holds a social media company accountable for its algorithm designs. “Too many young people around the world suffer from addictive algorithms pushed by these platforms,” he said. “Companies must explain why profits mattered more than lives.”
Legal Experts Weigh In
Eric Goldman, a law professor at Santa Clara University, warned that losing such cases could threaten social media companies. However, he noted it may be challenging to link physical or mental harm directly to platform design. “Plaintiffs have opened new legal questions that current law struggles to address,” he said.
Jurors would have seen internal documents, highlighting the efforts companies make to shield information from the public, according to Mary Graw Leary, a law professor at Catholic University of America.
Tech Giants Respond
Meta stated it has introduced multiple tools to protect teens online and remains confident in its commitment to young users. Critics, however, argue these interventions are not fully effective, and companies claim any harm results from third-party users.
Mark Zuckerberg was expected to testify in the trial. In a 2024 Senate hearing, he said no clear scientific evidence links social media to worse mental health outcomes in young people. He also apologized to victims present at the hearing.
Growing Global Scrutiny
The case comes amid increasing scrutiny of tech companies worldwide. Dozens of U.S. states sued Meta last year over alleged youth mental health risks. Australia now restricts social media use for under-16s, while the UK is considering similar measures.
Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at George Washington University, said the trial shows a change in how courts view the tech industry. “The industry has long received deferential treatment. That’s starting to shift,” she added.
