OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – More than 3,000 federal lawsuits alleging that social media platforms create addictive experiences can proceed after an appeals court dismissed an early objection. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. This ruling allows the consolidated lawsuits to continue under the oversight of U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs claim the platforms harmed children and teens through features designed to encourage repeated engagement.
Meta and TikTok’s challenge partly rested on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They contended that the law shields them from liability related to content on their platforms and warnings. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 offers a defense against liability, not outright immunity from lawsuits. This distinction prevented an immediate appeal by the companies. The judges stopped short of determining whether Section 230 could later dismiss specific claims as the federal cases advance.
Claims have been filed by families, individuals, school districts, cities, and state governments in the federal courts. The broader legal action also includes Google and Snap. Plaintiffs allege the companies employed design features that fostered compulsive usage among young users, linking these practices to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other mental health concerns. The companies deny these allegations. Additionally, California state courts are handling approximately 3,300 consolidated cases involving similar social media addiction claims.
States initiate separate youth safety lawsuit against Meta
Meta faces another federal lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection is set to begin Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial scheduled for Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and exploiting children’s personal data. They also allege that Facebook and Instagram included features that encouraged compulsive use. The case further claims Meta misled consumers about youth safety protections. Meta denies these allegations and is contesting the lawsuit in court.
This multistate legal action involves claims under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act along with multiple state consumer protection statutes. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also filed claims under their respective laws. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the case before trial, citing factual disputes requiring further proceedings. Several states have submitted calculations seeking monetary penalties if they prevail, which Meta disputes both legally and numerically.
Notable court rulings and verdicts continue to shape social media legal landscape
Recent judicial decisions have added weight to ongoing debates over social media design and youth mental health. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to allocate $567 million toward a youth mental health fund and related initiatives. The ruling also mandates five years of safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. In March, another New Mexico jury imposed a separate $375 million civil penalty. These rulings collectively expose Meta to $942 million in potential financial liabilities in the New Mexico case.
In March, a jury in Los Angeles also found Meta and Google negligent in a social media addiction lawsuit. Jurors awarded $6 million to a young woman who claimed that her use of Instagram and YouTube as a child resulted in addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before trial on undisclosed terms. Meta and Google have announced they will appeal the verdict. These federal and state cases involve numerous claims related to youth engagement with social media across multiple courts.