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Snap has settled two teenagers’ social media addiction cases in Los Angeles during jury selection, ending what had been set to become its first trial in the sprawling litigation over alleged harm to young users. The agreement came before opening statements, with the terms not disclosed.
The settlement announced Monday resolves the claims of plaintiffs identified as S.J. and K.D.B. against the Snapchat parent. Meta, TikTok and YouTube had already settled with both plaintiffs, leaving Snap as the last remaining defendant in the combined proceeding.
The outcome is a settlement, not a jury verdict or a finding that Snap caused the alleged injuries. It does not establish an admission of liability and does not resolve the thousands of other social media cases pending around the country.
A test trial ends before opening arguments
Jury selection began last week. Opening statements had been due to start two days after Monday’s settlement, according to the account of the proceeding. Snap Chief Executive Evan Spiegel had been expected to testify.
The two cases were selected as bellwethers, or test cases, intended to help the parties assess claims that social media companies designed their platforms to encourage compulsive use. Such trials can shape expectations for later negotiations, but their outcomes do not automatically decide other plaintiffs’ claims.
The teenagers alleged that their use of the platforms contributed to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Those claims remain allegations, rather than findings made in this proceeding. The companies have rejected claims that their services were designed to addict young people.
Snap points to safety measures
Snap said it was “pleased to have been able to resolve this matter in an amicable manner.” The company also cited safeguards, safety tutorials and work with experts, saying it remains committed to “continually strengthening the safety, privacy, and well-being of our community.”
Lawyers for the plaintiffs described the settlements as progress in their wider effort to hold social media companies accountable for alleged harm to children. John Morgan and Emily Jeffcott, attorneys for K.D.B., said the agreements allow them to keep building toward that goal.
Wider litigation continues
The next bellwether trials are scheduled to begin in March, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyers. The larger litigation includes cases brought by individuals, school districts, municipalities and other government bodies in state and federal courts.
An earlier Los Angeles trial ended in March with a $6 million award against Meta and YouTube. That was a different plaintiff’s case, not the two claims settled Monday, and Snap had settled that earlier case before trial. No settlement amount for Monday’s agreement was disclosed.
For Snap, the immediate result is that this trial will not produce a jury’s assessment of the two teenagers’ claims against the company. For the wider litigation, the question of how other claims will be tried or settled remains open.
JBizNews Desk | Los Angeles
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