Meta avoids trial over social media harm to teens

Meta will not go to trial over claims its platforms harm teen mental health.

The company was to go to trial in California, but the 15-year-old plaintiff dropped the lawsuit. The trial was set for next week. The plaintiff is referred to as R.K.C. He dropped the lawsuit against Meta.

R.K.C.'s lawyers said he wants to focus on recovery and therapy. He wants to have a normal life. The lawsuit was successful, but R.K.C. did not want a long trial. He is ready to move on.

R.K.C. said he became addicted to social media over seven years. He linked his anxiety and depression to time online. Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube were also in the lawsuit, but they settled with R.K.C.

A Meta spokesperson said the plaintiff dropped the case without payment. The claims were not true, and Meta will defend itself against similar lawsuits.

Meta said the facts did not prove their platforms caused R.K.C.'s mental health issues. R.K.C. did not spend much time on Meta platforms. Meta could not verify R.K.C.'s account history on their platforms.

In March, Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $6 million to another teen. The teen said the companies designed features to hook users, despite knowing the harm. The jury found the companies liable for mental health harms.

Meta said it would appeal the decision. The company faces many lawsuits over teen mental health. Meta said teen mental health is complex and not linked to one app. They will defend themselves in each case.

Meta is confident in its record of protecting teens online. The company will continue to defend itself in court.

Meta avoids trial over teen mental health.

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