Social Media

Meta Settles Social Media Addiction Case Before Trial

Meta has settled another high-profile social media addiction lawsuit right before trial, leaving Snap as the sole remaining defendant in the case.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 31, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026 · 3 min read

Meta Settles Social Media Addiction Case Before Trial — Image: Engadget

Meta Avoids Trial With Last-Minute Settlement

Meta has reached a settlement in another social media addiction lawsuit, a move that allows the tech giant to avoid a trial that was set to kick off next month. The legal challenge is one of several closely watched lawsuits targeting social media platforms over youth safety and compulsive use claims.

The lawsuit was brought by an 18-year-old woman from Mississippi, identified in court documents as K.D.B. According to reporting by Reuters, the plaintiff described staying awake for hours scrolling social media platforms, losing focus in class, and engaging in self-harm using methods she encountered in social media videos.

Legal Proceedings and Prior Settlements

Jury selection for the legal proceedings got underway in Los Angeles. On Friday, K.D.B.'s lawyer announced that her client had successfully reached a settlement with Meta, having previously settled similar claims with TikTok and YouTube.

“We remain committed to improving safety for kids on social media apps and holding tech companies accountable, and we are pleased to have brought this matter to a just resolution on behalf of our client,” attorney Emily Jeffcott said in a public statement.

Specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed by the legal teams, and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the resolution of the case.

Snap Remains Sole Defendant as Trial Nears

Following Meta's exit from the litigation, Snap is now the only remaining defendant in the case. Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel is expected to take the stand and testify during the trial, which could potentially last for several weeks.

If Spiegel testifies, it will mark the first time the Snap founder has appeared in a social media addiction trial. Snap previously settled in another high-profile case involving similar allegations before a jury later ruled against Meta and YouTube in a separate trial, ordering the two companies to pay $6 million in damages.

Mark Zuckerberg wearing a suit. — Image related to the report from Engadget · Source: Engadget

Snap Defends Platform Design and Safety Features

In a formal statement addressing the litigation, a Snap spokesperson chose not to comment directly on Meta's recent settlement. However, the spokesperson argued that the lawsuit fundamentally misrepresents how Snapchat operates.

“From the beginning, Snapchat was built differently from traditional social media: it opens to a camera, not a feed, not a ranking of what other people post or other social comparison metrics,” the representative explained.

The spokesperson added that the company has implemented various safeguards, safety tools, and educational resources. They expressed confidence that the collected evidence will demonstrate that Snap prioritizes its community and that the allegations do not reflect true user experiences on the platform.

Broader Legal Landscape for Social Media Giants

Both Meta and Snap have faced a continuous wave of lawsuits concerning alleged safety lapses and social media addiction among younger demographics.

In addition to these youth addiction claims, Snap recently settled a long-running lawsuit concerning its controversial speed filter feature, which has been alleged to have played a contributing role in several high-speed car crashes involving teenagers.