US appeals court allows thousands of social media addiction lawsuits to proceed

A US appeals court has cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits against major social media companies, including Meta Platforms, Google parent Alphabet, TikTok owner ByteDance and Snap,

SAN FRANCISCO: A US appeals court has cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits against major social media companies, including Meta Platforms, Google parent Alphabet, TikTok owner ByteDance and Snap, rejecting an attempt by the technology firms to use federal online protections to halt litigation over allegations that their platforms are deliberately designed to keep young users hooked.

The ruling was issued Monday by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which declined to immediately consider an appeal filed by Meta and TikTok challenging a lower court decision that had allowed more than 3,000 lawsuits to continue in federal court.

The lawsuits, brought by parents, children, school districts, local governments and state authorities, accuse social media companies of designing products and features that encourage excessive use among children and teenagers. Plaintiffs argue that the companies were aware of potential risks associated with prolonged social media use but failed to adequately protect young users or warn families about those risks.

At the center of the companies’ legal argument is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. The law generally protects online platforms from being held liable for content created and posted by their users.

Meta and TikTok argued that the protection should also prevent lawsuits alleging that the companies failed to warn users about the allegedly addictive characteristics of their platforms.

However, the appeals court determined that the companies had sought appellate review too soon. The court said Section 230 provides a defense against liability but does not give companies immunity from having to defend themselves in litigation.

As a result, the companies cannot use the current appeal to stop the cases from proceeding through the lower courts.

Meta’s attempt to delay multistate trial rejected

The appeals court also rejected Meta’s request to postpone a major trial involving 29 US states.

The case, brought by state attorneys general, accuses Meta of unlawfully collecting and using information relating to children, designing its platforms to encourage young users to remain engaged for extended periods and making misleading statements concerning the safety of its services.

Meta had sought to delay the trial while its appeal concerning Section 230 was pending. The court rejected that request, meaning the proceedings can move forward as scheduled.

The development represents another significant legal challenge for Meta, which has faced growing scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and families over the impact of its platforms on children and teenagers.

A Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the appeals court’s decision. TikTok representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lawyers say trials could reveal what companies knew

Attorneys representing thousands of individuals and school districts involved in the federal litigation welcomed the ruling.

Lawyers Lexi Hazam and Previn Warren said the decision would allow the multistate case to proceed and would also clear the path for a separate trial involving school districts that is scheduled for February.

The attorneys said court proceedings could provide the public with evidence about what social media companies knew regarding the potential effects of their products on children, when they became aware of those concerns and how they responded.

The lawsuits have become part of a much broader legal battle in the United States over the responsibilities of technology companies toward minors.

Plaintiffs contend that social media platforms can contribute to serious problems among young people, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and concerns about body image. They argue that companies intentionally use features such as recommendation algorithms, notifications and engagement mechanisms to encourage repeated and prolonged use.

The technology companies have generally denied allegations that they deliberately designed their platforms to harm children.

Thousands of cases consolidated

The federal lawsuits have been centralized before US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California.

The cases involve claims brought by a wide range of plaintiffs, including families, school districts, municipalities and state governments. They seek financial damages, penalties and other forms of relief from the technology companies.

Meta and TikTok previously appealed rulings issued by Judge Rogers in 2023 and 2024 that largely permitted the litigation to continue.

The companies also face hundreds of similar cases in state courts. Around 3,300 related cases have been consolidated in California state court, underscoring the scale of the legal challenge confronting the social media industry.

Jury verdict adds pressure on technology companies

The latest appeals court decision comes after several significant courtroom developments involving the alleged impact of social media on young users.

In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in connection with claims that their social media products were designed in ways that could harm young people. The jury awarded $6 million to a young woman who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube after using the services as a child.

The verdict was closely watched because it represented an early test of how juries may respond to similar allegations against major technology companies.

Meta and Google have denied wrongdoing in the case and said they intend to appeal.

New Mexico ruling increases scrutiny

Meta has also suffered a major legal setback in New Mexico.

A judge in the state recently ruled that the company had created a public nuisance and ordered it to pay $567 million into a fund intended to support teen mental-health initiatives, while also requiring the company to implement additional measures aimed at protecting young users.

The New Mexico proceedings followed an earlier stage of litigation in which a jury found that Meta had misled consumers about the safety of its platforms and ordered the company to pay $375 million.

Meta has rejected the allegations and indicated that it will challenge the findings through the appeals process.

The growing number of lawsuits reflects increasing pressure on social media companies in the United States to explain how their platforms are developed, marketed and operated for younger audiences.

The latest 9th Circuit decision does not resolve whether Meta, Google, TikTok or Snap will ultimately be held liable. Instead, it allows the underlying lawsuits to continue, potentially setting the stage for additional trials in which plaintiffs will seek to prove that the companies’ product designs and business practices contributed to harm among children and teenagers.