Meta Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit with Kentucky School District
Meta has reached a settlement with Kentucky's Breathitt County School District over allegations that its social media platforms contribute to student mental health issues.
Meta Platforms has reached a settlement with Kentucky's Breathitt County School District, resolving allegations that its social media platforms contribute to student mental health issues. The case, initially set for trial on June 15 in federal court in Oakland, California, was selected as a bellwether among approximately 1,200 similar lawsuits filed by school districts nationwide.
The lawsuit accused Meta, along with other social media companies, of designing platforms that allegedly lead to addiction, resulting in increased anxiety, depression, and self-harm among students. The school district sought over $60 million to fund a 15-year mental health program aimed at addressing these issues.
A Meta spokesperson stated, "We've resolved this case amicably and remain focused on our longstanding work to build protections like Teen Accounts that help teens stay safe online, while giving parents simple controls to support their families."
Prior to Meta's settlement, co-defendants YouTube, Snap, and TikTok had also reached undisclosed agreements with the Breathitt County School District.
This settlement follows recent legal challenges for Meta. In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive features, awarding $6 million in damages to a young woman who claimed the platforms exacerbated her mental health struggles.
Attorneys representing the school districts emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice for the remaining cases, stating, "Our focus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases."