Meta Avoids Trial over Social Media Addiction
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has managed to sidestep a trial related to social media addiction in California after reaching a settlement with a school district in Kentucky. This case is considered significant as it’s part of a series of lawsuits the tech company is currently facing.
The Breathitt County School District alleged that social media addiction, particularly among teenagers, has contributed to a public health crisis. They are one of over 1,200 districts making similar claims against Meta, which has gathered under California’s consolidated litigation process.
Details regarding the financial aspects of the settlement were not disclosed. The trial had been set to start on June 15 in Auckland.
In a joint statement to the Post, the attorneys representing the plaintiffs expressed their commitment to pursuing justice on behalf of the remaining school districts still involved in litigation.
Interestingly, Mehta was the last to stand firm on this case, while other defendants like YouTube, Snap, and TikTok settled last week.
The Breathitt County School District sought more than $60 million in damages, along with resources for kids dealing with anxiety and depression due to social media. They also wanted a court order to prevent Meta from introducing addictive features on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
A Meta spokesperson commented, saying they resolved the matter amicably and are committed to enhancing protections such as Teen Accounts to help teens stay safe online, while providing parents with tools to support their families.
This Kentucky case served as a test for the legal arguments that other school districts across the nation are putting forward.
Mehta still faces a staggering number of pending lawsuits—over 2,400—from schools, state attorneys general, and individuals. The next case set for trial is from the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona, which is due to be heard in January 2027.
As reported, Mehta claimed in pretrial filings for the Kentucky case that Zuckerberg should only need to testify in person once, suggesting that future plaintiffs could rely on video recordings of this testimony. However, plaintiffs’ lawyers have asked for Zuckerberg to appear at every trial.
Meta’s choice to settle follows a series of court defeats, including a recent case in Los Angeles where a jury found Mehta and Google liable for $6 million in damages related to claims of causing anxiety and depression. In New Mexico, a jury handed down a hefty $375 million fine against Mehta for failing to protect children from online dangers. The state is now requiring significant changes to Meta’s app during the ongoing testing phase, and there’s been talk of Meta potentially withdrawing from New Mexico altogether in response.
