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TikTok and Snapchat Settle Child-Addiction Lawsuits; Meta and YouTube Face Trial

31 March, 2026.Technology and Science.3 sources

Key Takeaways

TikTok settled child-addiction lawsuit hours before trial, following Snapchat's earlier settlement.
California suit accuses YouTube and Instagram of addiction-design features; parallels Meta's liability cases.
New Mexico ruling held Meta liable; LA jury found addictive design harming youth.

Settlements and Trial

TikTok and Snapchat settled lawsuits accusing them of designing addictive apps for young users.

“A week after Snapchat, TikTok likewise opted to strike a deal a few hours before the opening of the trial that was to see them appear alongside Meta and YouTube, accused by thousands of plaintiffs of having knowingly designed their apps to foster addiction among young users”

BFM

Meta's Instagram and YouTube remained as defendants in the case.

BFM

Meta suffered two legal defeats in the same week.

Product Design, Not Content

The lawsuits bypass Section 230 by targeting product design rather than content.

Features like endless scroll were engineered to create addiction.

Science et vie

A New Mexico jury found Meta liable and ordered a $375 million fine.

Broad Public Health Implications

The case reflects growing concerns about social media's impact on mental health.

“Meta lost a lawsuit against the state of New Mexico last week, marking the first time that the company has been held liable by the court system for endangering child safety”