Meta and Snap Face Trial Over Claims Apps Hooked and Harmed Teens

Jury selection got underway in Los Angeles in a closely watched trial against Meta and Snap, centered on claims that their platforms were built to be addictive and harmed young users' mental health.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, involves two plaintiffs. A 16-year-old from Illinois, identified as S.J., says she began using Snapchat as a child and developed compulsive habits tied to features on the app, which she links to depression, sleep problems, anxiety, an eating disorder, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. An 18-year-old from Mississippi, K.D.B., says her early use of Meta's platforms along with Snapchat similarly contributed to her mental health struggles and self-harm.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue the companies intentionally built addictive features aimed at minors and young adults, who they say were especially vulnerable and unable to recognize the risks.

TikTok and YouTube, originally named in the case, have since reached settlements, and Meta separately settled with the Illinois plaintiff. Meta and Snap continue to contest the remaining claims, with each saying the evidence will show other personal and behavioral factors played a larger role in the plaintiffs' difficulties.

Executives including Meta's CEO, Instagram's head, and Snap's CEO are expected to testify as the trial proceeds, with opening statements slated for early November and the case expected to last until mid-December. The case is being treated as a bellwether for a broader set of pending lawsuits against social media companies, following a separate case earlier this year in which Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay damages over similar addiction-related claims.