OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – As of August, over 3,000 federal lawsuits targeting social media firms for allegedly fostering addictive experiences can proceed, following a rejection of an initial challenge by a U.S. appeals court. On Aug. 10, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok. This ruling sustains the consolidated case before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, where plaintiffs assert that platform features harmed children and teenagers through designs that encouraged repeated engagement.
Meta and TikTok argued their case partly on the basis of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They claimed the law shields them from claims related to platform content and warnings. However, the appeals court clarified that Section 230 offers a defense to liability rather than complete immunity from lawsuits. This clarification prevented an immediate appeal, leaving open the possibility that Section 230 may later be invoked to dismiss specific claims as the case progresses through federal courts. The court did not determine whether Section 230 could ultimately serve as a complete defense in these cases.
Claims have been filed by families, individuals, school districts, municipalities, and state governments within the federal proceedings. The broader litigation also includes Google and Snap. Plaintiffs contend that the companies used product features aimed at fostering compulsive usage among young users, linking these practices to issues such as depression, anxiety, body image concerns, and other mental health challenges. Both Meta and the other defendants deny these allegations. Additionally, California state courts are handling approximately 3,300 consolidated cases involving similar claims of social media addiction.
States initiate separate lawsuit against Meta over child safety concerns
Meta faces a distinct federal case initiated by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial set to commence on Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and exploiting children’s personal data. They also allege that Facebook and Instagram included features designed to promote addictive use. The complaint further claims that Meta misled users about the company’s efforts to protect youth. Meta denies these accusations and is actively contesting the case in court.
This multistate suit encompasses claims under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and various state consumer protection laws. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also filed claims under their respective statutes. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the lawsuit before trial, citing factual disputes that require further investigation. Several states have presented calculations seeking monetary penalties if they succeed, though Meta disputes these figures and questions the legal grounds for the proposed sanctions.
Recent legal decisions underscore significant judgments and verdicts
In recent months, courts have issued notable rulings related to social media safety and youth issues. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and establish safety protocols on Facebook and Instagram over five years. Earlier, in March, a jury in New Mexico imposed a separate civil penalty of $375 million. Combined, these rulings expose Meta to a total financial liability of $942 million in that state’s case.
Additionally, in March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in another social media addiction case, awarding $6 million to a young woman who claimed that her childhood use of Instagram and YouTube contributed to her addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before the trial on undisclosed terms. Both Meta and Google have announced plans to appeal the verdict. These federal and state lawsuits now span multiple courts and involve thousands of claims linked to social media use among minors.