OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – In a significant legal development, more than 3,000 consolidated federal cases involving youth addiction allegations against major social media platforms can move forward in the federal court system. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an early appeal from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. This decision leaves the cases before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, with plaintiffs claiming that platform features fostered compulsive usage and contributed to mental health issues among children and teenagers.
Both Meta and TikTok had attempted to seek immediate appellate review of lower court rulings concerning Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 acts as a defense against liability, not an immunity from lawsuits. Consequently, the court ruled that the companies could not pursue the appeal at this time. The ruling does not decide whether Section 230 will ultimately bar any claims; rather, it permits the ongoing federal proceedings to continue under the existing court orders.
These legal actions include claims brought by families, individuals, educational institutions, cities, and state governments. Plaintiffs have also filed lawsuits against Alphabet’s Google, owner of YouTube, and Snap, which runs Snapchat. They contend that these social media companies designed features that encouraged repeated engagement by young users. Allegations include links to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other mental health concerns. The defendants have denied the accusations. Additionally, approximately 3,300 related cases remain consolidated in California state court.
States file separate lawsuit against Meta
Meta faces another federal lawsuit filed by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection for this case is scheduled to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial set to start on Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and using children’s personal data. They also claim that Facebook and Instagram incorporated features that fostered compulsive use among minors. The lawsuit further alleges that Meta misled users about safety protections on its platforms. Meta has denied all wrongdoing.
The legal claims are based on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and various state consumer protection statutes. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are also asserting state law claims in this matter. A federal judge previously declined to dismiss the case before trial, citing unresolved disputes requiring further proceedings. Several states have submitted calculations seeking monetary penalties if they win. Meta has challenged these calculations and disputed the legal grounds for the amounts requested.
Notable rulings broaden youth safety litigation
The extensive social media legal landscape has already resulted in major rulings against tech giants. On Aug. 6, a New Mexico judge mandated Meta to pay $567 million to establish a youth mental health fund and related programs. The ruling also mandated safety protocols for Facebook and Instagram for five years. Earlier, a New Mexico jury had imposed a $375 million civil penalty in March. Collectively, these decisions exposed Meta to a financial liability of $942 million in that state case.
Additionally, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in a separate social media addiction lawsuit in March. The jury awarded $6 million to the plaintiff, who claimed that childhood exposure to Instagram and YouTube led to addiction and mental health damage. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before trial under terms that remain undisclosed. Meta and Google have announced their intention to appeal the verdict.