Meta settles social media harm lawsuit with teenager before trial

Meta Platforms has settled a lawsuit brought by a teenage plaintiff identified as K.D.B., who accused the company of designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive, the New York Post reported on Friday, October 30. The lawsuit alleged that the design of the social media platforms caused mental health problems and disordered eating for the teenager. [1]

The resolution came after jury selection began on Wednesday, October 28. Meta had previously settled with another teenage plaintiff, identified as S.J., days before the trial was scheduled to begin. The legal action had been slated to test the claims of both teenagers against Meta and Snapchat parent company Snap. [1]

Jury selection for the landmark case took place in Los Angeles, as FTMQ News reported earlier. This case marks the first time Snap has faced a jury trial as a defendant alongside Meta concerning alleged harms to young users. Thousands of similar lawsuits regarding social media harm have been filed in American and European courts. [1][2]

Following Meta's settlement with K.D.B. on Friday, the trial is expected to move forward against Snap alone, according to the New York Post. [1]