OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – The ongoing wave of lawsuits accusing leading social media platforms of promoting harmful and addictive behaviors among minors can proceed in federal court. On Aug. 10, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an early appeal filed by Meta Platforms and TikTok. This decision means that more than 3,000 consolidated federal cases are still pending before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. The plaintiffs contend that certain platform features foster compulsive usage and have contributed to mental health issues in children and teenagers.
Meta and TikTok attempted to secure immediate appellate review of the lower court rulings related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The appellate court clarified that Section 230 acts as a defense to liability rather than granting complete immunity from lawsuits. Consequently, the court determined that the companies could not pursue an appeal at this point. The ruling does not decide whether Section 230 will ultimately bar any of the claims; instead, it permits the federal proceedings to move forward under the existing trial court orders.
The lawsuit comprises claims from families, individuals, school districts, cities, and state governments. In addition, plaintiffs have targeted Alphabet’s Google, owner of YouTube, and Snap, which manages Snapchat. They allege that social media platforms incorporated features designed to increase repeated engagement among young users. The complaints point to alleged links to depression, anxiety, concerns over body image, and other mental health problems. Both Meta and TikTok have denied the allegations. Furthermore, approximately 3,300 related cases remain consolidated in California state court.
States pursue separate legal action against Meta
Meta faces a distinct federal lawsuit initiated by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection in this case is set for Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial scheduled to commence on Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and utilizing children’s personal data. They also claim that Facebook and Instagram introduced features that fostered compulsive usage among minors. The case also alleges that Meta misled consumers regarding safety protections on its platforms. Meta has denied any wrongdoing in this matter.
The legal claims involve violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act along with state consumer protection statutes. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey also assert state law claims in this case. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the lawsuit before trial, citing unresolved disputes requiring further proceedings. Several states have submitted calculations seeking financial penalties if they win. Meta disputes both those calculations and the legal basis for the claimed amounts.
Legal decisions broaden the scope of youth safety litigation
The wider litigation against social media firms has already led to notable rulings against these companies. On Aug. 6, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and associated programs. This order also mandated safety measures on Facebook and Instagram for a period of five years. Earlier, in March, a New Mexico jury imposed a $375 million civil penalty. These combined rulings expose Meta to a total of $942 million in potential financial liabilities within the state case.
Additionally, in a separate case, a Los Angeles jury found against Meta and Google in March, regarding a lawsuit over social media addiction. Jurors determined that both companies were negligent in designing Instagram and YouTube and awarded $6 million to the plaintiff, who claimed childhood usage of these platforms contributed to addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before the trial, under terms that remain undisclosed. Meta and Google have announced their intention to appeal the verdict.