Settlement Reached Before TikTok Trial
A 19-year-old woman from California has settled her case with TikTok just before her trial was set to start. She claims that the platform’s algorithms are designed to engage users in a way that negatively impacts their mental health.
The woman is referred to as “KGM” and had also previously settled a case with Snap, the parent company of Snapchat. The specifics of these settlements remain undisclosed.
This news was initially reported by Bloomberg.
Both TikTok and Snap were contacted for comments regarding the settlement.
KGM is among those who have sued not only TikTok but also Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, as well as YouTube, on similar grounds in a Los Angeles court.
KGM stated in her legal filing that she began using social media at the age of 10. She claims that this usage led to serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, body dysmorphic disorder, and even suicidal thoughts.
According to her complaint, KGM alleges that TikTok implemented features such as continuous scrolling, autoplay, and targeted content notifications to boost engagement, which she believes fosters addiction.
This lawsuit is part of an extensive legal challenge involving more than 2,200 claims against major social media companies for allegedly creating addictive platforms that harm the mental well-being of young users.
Research indicates that around 5% to 10% of social media users might meet the standards for behavioral addiction, with adolescents being significantly represented in those statistics. Some teenagers report spending as much as 7-9 hours daily on social media, contributing to ongoing engagement.
Various studies have shown a consistent relationship between heavy social media use and negative mental health outcomes. For instance, prolonged use has been linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and reduced academic performance, particularly among children and teens as their brains develop.
Yet, some research contradicts the notion that social media usage is always detrimental to mental health. Literature reviews indicate that the overall effects are often minimal or mixed for many users. Factors like family dynamics, socio-economic status, and external stressors tend to have a much larger impact on mental health.
A significant meta-analysis published in 2026 reviewed 46 studies and found no compelling evidence that general social media use causes mental health issues.
Furthermore, an Oxford-led study examining global internet data also revealed that there was no consistent link between time spent online and poorer mental health across different countries and age groups, suggesting weak or insignificant associations.
If you’re in New York City and facing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, confidential help is available at 1-888-NYC-WELL. For those outside the city, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached at 988, or you can visit the website for additional resources.
