TikTok has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by a Florida teenager who accused the platform and other major social media companies of harming his mental health through addictive design features.
According to the plaintiff’s legal team, the terms of the settlement are still being finalised.
The 15-year-old plaintiff, identified in court documents only by his initials, R.K.C., sued TikTok, Meta, YouTube and Snap, alleging that the companies intentionally designed their platforms to be addictive through features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay.
Speaking on the settlement, the teenager’s attorney, Emily Jeffcott, said her client is still dealing with the long-term effects of social media use.
“He’s still a kid. He is still in high school and evaluating the impact that social media has had on his very young life,” Jeffcott said.
“I think that should really be a lens that’s worth paying attention to.”
According to NBC News, YouTube reached a settlement with the plaintiff last week, leaving Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and Snap as the remaining defendants expected to face trial.
The trial is scheduled to begin on July 27 at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The case is the second bellwether trial in consolidated litigation involving thousands of plaintiffs who accuse Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap of creating addictive social media platforms that contributed to mental health problems among users.
The first bellwether trial, involving a 20-year-old plaintiff identified as K.G.M., concluded in March with a $6 million jury verdict against Meta and YouTube.
The jury found both companies negligent in the design or operation of their social media platforms.
Meta and YouTube have since announced plans to appeal the judgment.
During that trial, K.G.M. argued that excessive use of social media—particularly Instagram’s beauty filters—damaged her self-esteem, contributed to body dysmorphia and worsened her depression and anxiety.
Attorneys representing R.K.C. said the upcoming trial against Meta and Snap will present a different perspective because it involves a teenage boy who is still a minor.
Rahul Ravipudi, another lawyer for the plaintiff, said the case would allow jurors to consider how social media addiction affects young male users.
“The impacts on a male and on somebody who’s a minor currently involve different circumstances and things for the jury to evaluate,” he said.
The broader litigation against major social media companies continues to draw attention as courts examine allegations that platform features designed to maximise user engagement may contribute to mental health challenges, particularly among children and teenagers.
