Meta and Snap Face Los Angeles Jury in Social Media Addiction Trial

Social media companies face mounting legal pressure to explain how their products affect young minds. Jury selection began in Los Angeles on Wednesday for a trial that pits two teenagers against Meta and Snap, with the plaintiffs arguing that specific app features were engineered to create dependency.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, centers on two users: S.J., a 16-year-old from Illinois, and K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi. S.J. claims that Snapchat’s endless scrolling and Snapstreaks led to compulsive use, contributing to depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and suicidal ideation. K.D.B. alleges that long-term use of Meta platforms and Snapchat similarly resulted in mental health issues and self-harm. The plaintiffs’ attorneys contend that the companies defectively designed these tools to appeal specifically to minors who were less able to understand the risks involved.

While TikTok and YouTube settled before trial, Meta and Snap remain in the case. Meta has already settled its claims with S.J. but continues to contest those brought by K.D.B. A Meta spokesperson noted that a young person’s mental health is shaped by many factors, pointing out that K.D.B. used TikTok far more than Instagram or Facebook. The company argued that personal circumstances were a substantial factor in her struggles. Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, disputes the claims entirely. A spokesperson stated that Snap built safeguards and educational resources into the platform, believing the evidence will show the company prioritized its community and that the allegations misrepresent the platform's design.

Legal experts and the plaintiffs’ team view this proceeding as a critical bellwether among numerous similar claims filed against tech giants. Mark Lanier, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, emphasized that this is the first case to go to trial against Snapchat, offering the public its first look at the company’s internal documents. Both companies are expected to argue that external factors, rather than their products, caused the plaintiffs’ difficulties. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, though specific amounts have not been disclosed.

The trial is expected to last until mid-December under Judge Carolyn Kuhl. Opening statements are scheduled for early November. Key executives, including Instagram head Adam Mosseri, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, are expected to take the stand. Earlier this week, Meta and Snap requested that the court split the matter into two separate trials, a decision Kuhl has not yet made.

This legal battle occurs as public concern over screen time grows. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 said they are online almost constantly. In a related landmark case earlier this year, a jury ordered companies to pay $6 million after finding they were responsible for creating products that led to harmful and addictive behavior among young users.