technology
Meta Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit With Kentucky School District
Meta reached a settlement with Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, resolving the first case scheduled for trial over claims that social media platforms caused a youth mental health crisis. The agreement follows earlier settlements by YouTube, Snap, and TikTok and leaves more than 1,200 similar cases pending.
May 21, 4:34 PM·1m read4 sources
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Meta has settled a lawsuit brought by Breathitt County School District in eastern Kentucky over alleged costs tied to youth mental health issues linked to social media platforms. U.S. school districts. The trial had been scheduled to begin June 15 in federal court in Oakland, California.
School District, which serves about 1,600 students across six schools, accused the companies of designing platforms to be addictive. The district claimed this design led to anxiety, depression, and self-harm among students. The lawsuit sought more than $60 million in damages to cover mental health programs and an abatement plan.
It also requested court orders requiring changes to platform features.
TikTok, Snap, and Alphabet's YouTube settled the same case last week. Meta was the final defendant to reach an agreement. A Meta spokesperson said the company resolved the case amicably and remains focused on protections such as Teen Accounts.
Plaintiffs' attorneys stated their focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts. U.S. states is scheduled to begin in August. The next school district case, involving Tucson Unified School District in Arizona, is set for January 2027.
Earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who claimed Meta and Google platforms fueled her childhood addiction. Snap and TikTok settled that case before trial.
