Snap settled claims in a social media addiction lawsuit in Los Angeles
Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, settled claims by two teenagers alleging its platform contributed to mental health problems, ending a Los Angeles bellwether trial two days before opening arguments. The teens said heavy social media use contributed to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Meta, TikTok and YouTube had also settled; terms were undisclosed.
More context
Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, settled claims in a social media addiction lawsuit on Monday, ending a bellwether trial in Los Angeles two days before opening arguments were due. Jury selection had begun the previous week. The case involved two teenagers, identified in court documents as S.J., 16, and K.D.B., 18, who alleged that heavy use of Snapchat and other platforms contributed to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Snap was the last defendant to settle, after Meta, TikTok and YouTube had also resolved claims. The terms of Snap’s settlement were not disclosed. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel had been expected to testify at trial. Attorney Joseph VanZandt, who represented S.J., said the legal team would be back in court in March and would continue efforts to make platforms safer for children.
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Reporting
- The Hill — Snap settles addiction lawsuit two days before Los Angeles trial
- CBS News — Snap reaches settlement in social media addiction lawsuit ahead of trial - CBS News
- CBC News — Snapchat reaches settlement in case after teens allege platform designed to be addictive | CBC News
- engadget.com — Snap Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit To Avoid Trial
- law.com — Snap Settles Two Lawsuits on Eve of Social Media Addiction Trial | Law.com
- consumernotice.org — Snap Agrees to Settlement to Resolve Social Media Addiction Trial
- claimsjournal.com — Snap Finalizing Settlement to Avoid LA Trial on Addiction Claims
Verifier’s note
Engadget, The Hill, CBS News, Law.com, Consumer Notice, CBC News, and Claims Journal report Snap’s settlement or imminent settlement of the social-media addiction case before trial. Their reports match the proposed event and its timing.