OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Federal court proceedings continue for thousands of lawsuits accusing leading social media firms of fostering harmful and addictive behaviors among young users. On Aug. 10, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an initial appeal filed by Meta Platforms and TikTok. This decision leaves over 3,000 consolidated federal cases pending before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs contend that design features of these platforms encouraged compulsive usage and contributed to mental health issues in children and teenagers.
Seeking immediate appellate review of decisions from lower courts regarding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Meta and TikTok argued their case. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 provides a defense against liability, not immunity from lawsuits. Consequently, the court ruled that the companies could not pursue their appeal at this point. The ruling did not determine whether Section 230 would ultimately bar any of the claims; instead, it allows the ongoing federal litigation to proceed in accordance with the existing orders from the trial court.
The ongoing litigation encompasses claims from families, individual plaintiffs, educational institutions, municipalities, and state governments. The plaintiffs have also filed lawsuits against Alphabet’s Google, owner of YouTube, and Snap, the operator of Snapchat. They assert that these social media platforms incorporated features designed to promote repeated engagement by young users. Allegations include links to depression, anxiety, body image concerns, and other mental health issues. Both Meta and the other companies have denied these allegations. Additionally, approximately 3,300 related cases remain consolidated in California state court.
States pursue a distinct legal action against Meta
Meta is also defending itself in a separate federal case initiated by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection for this case is scheduled to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial set to start on Aug. 17. The states allege that Meta unlawfully collected and used children’s personal data. They also claim that Facebook and Instagram contained features that encouraged addictive behavior among minors. The lawsuit further accuses Meta of misleading consumers regarding the safety measures on its platforms. Meta has denied any wrongdoing.
Claims have been filed under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and various state consumer protection laws. States such as California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also included state law claims in the case. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the case before trial, citing unresolved disputes requiring further proceedings. Several states have submitted calculations for potential financial penalties should they prevail. Meta has challenged these figures and contested the legal basis for the amounts requested.
Notable rulings expand youth safety litigation
The broader legal battles involving social media companies have already resulted in significant court decisions. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to allocate $567 million toward a youth mental health fund and associated programs. The order also mandated safety measures for Facebook and Instagram for a period of five years. Earlier, a New Mexico jury imposed a $375 million civil penalty in March. The combined financial exposure from these rulings amounts to $942 million for Meta in the state case.
In another case, a Los Angeles jury found against Meta and Google in March, awarding $6 million to the plaintiff in a lawsuit over social media addiction. The jury determined that negligence in the design of Instagram and YouTube contributed to the plaintiff’s childhood addiction and mental health issues. Before trial, TikTok and Snap reached settlement agreements with the plaintiff under undisclosed terms. Both Meta and Google have announced intentions to appeal the verdict.