Snapchat US trial: Snap has settled a lawsuit accusing Snapchat and other major platforms of contributing to social media addiction among young users, a move that removes the company from a closely watched California trial that is expected to shape thousands of similar cases across the United States.
The case is one of a small group of “bellwether” trials slated for the Los Angeles Superior Court, where plaintiffs argue that features such as recommendation algorithms, endless scrolling and notifications are designed to keep users engaged in ways that can harm adolescent mental health. The lawsuit set for trial centres on a 19-year-old woman who alleges she developed serious mental health problems after becoming addicted to social media apps.
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Snap and the plaintiffs’ lawyers confirmed the matter was resolved, but did not disclose settlement terms. Snap chief executive Evan Spiegel had been expected to testify, alongside executives tied to other defendant companies that have not announced settlements in the same proceeding.
The broader litigation campaign includes claims that social media use has been linked to depression, eating disorders, psychiatric hospitalization and, in some cases, self-harm or suicide among young people. Tech companies have argued they are protected under US law that limits platform liability for user-generated content, but plaintiffs are increasingly focusing on product design and engagement mechanics rather than specific posts.
Jury selection in the first bellwether case is scheduled to begin late January, with trial proceedings expected to follow in early February, while parallel cases continue in federal court in Northern California and state courts around the country.