Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has reached a settlement with two teenage plaintiffs in a closely watched lawsuit accusing social media companies of designing platforms that encourage addictive behavior among young users. The settlement comes as the company faced a trial in Los Angeles over allegations that Snapchat contributed to depression, anxiety and eating disorders through features intended to keep users engaged. The financial terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed.
Announced on Monday by Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl, the agreement also arrived just days after co-defendant Meta Platforms reached its own settlement with the plaintiffs. Earlier in the litigation lifecycle, fellow tech giants TikTok and Google’s YouTube had likewise resolved their respective claims.
The plaintiffs, identified in court documents as S.J., a 16-year-old from Illinois, and K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi, alleged that they began using social media during childhood and developed compulsive habits as a result of platform features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling. Their claims also involved Snapchat features including Snapstreaks, notifications and other engagement tools. Both plaintiffs had previously reached settlements with Meta, TikTok and YouTube, leaving Snap as the remaining defendant in the case.
The proceedings were part of broader litigation involving thousands of lawsuits filed by individuals, families, school districts and government entities. The cases allege that major technology companies knowingly developed products that encouraged excessive use among children and teenagers, contributing to growing mental health concerns. Snap has disputed the accusations, pointing to safety protections, educational resources and partnerships with experts while maintaining that it has worked to improve user privacy and well-being.
The Los Angeles case was selected as a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could help shape how other similar lawsuits proceed. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel had been expected to testify, and the case would have marked the company’s first trial involving allegations of social media-related harm to teenagers. The settlement follows a separate March trial in which a jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a young woman’s case and awarded her $6 million in damages. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs said the latest agreements would allow their broader efforts to hold social media companies accountable to continue.
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