TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits brought by young people who accuse social media companies of designing their platforms to be addictive and harming their mental health. The terms of the settlements are confidential and subject to the finalization of written settlement agreements with TikTok.

Background of the Lawsuits

The cases are among thousands of similar lawsuits consolidated in California state court. The plaintiffs’ claims against Meta Platforms, Google’s YouTube and Snap Inc’s Snapchat will continue. A trial is scheduled in October.

The three cases, brought by plaintiffs identified only by their initials because they are minors, were selected as bellwether, or test, trials from among about 3,300 lawsuits before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl, who is overseeing consolidated claims that social media platforms are addictive and harm young users.

The companies have denied the allegations and say they take extensive steps to keep teens and young users safe on their platforms. Attorneys often use bellwether verdicts to gauge how juries may view similar claims, helping them assess the potential value of remaining cases and guide settlement negotiations.

Plaintiffs’ Allegations

The plaintiffs who are settling with TikTok are S.J., a 15-year-old girl from Illinois who has alleged the social media platforms caused her to suffer from self-harm, anxiety, depression, addiction and an eating disorder; P.M.Y., a 15-year-old from New Jersey who has alleged addiction, depression and self-harm; and K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi who alleged that over-use of the platforms caused anxiety, depression, addiction, self-harm and an eating disorder.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.