OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has upheld the continuation of over 3,000 federal lawsuits accusing social media giants of fostering addictive products, dismissing an early challenge. On Aug. 10, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok. This ruling allows the consolidated litigation to proceed under U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs allege that the platforms’ features harmed children and teens by encouraging repeated engagement.
Meta and TikTok’s challenge relied in part on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, claiming that it protected them from liability related to platform content and warnings. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 offers a defense against liability, not outright immunity from lawsuits. This interpretation prevented the companies from pursuing an immediate appeal. The judges did not determine whether Section 230 could later negate specific claims as the cases advance through the federal court system.
Claims have been brought by families, individuals, school districts, municipalities, and state governments. The broader litigation also involves Google and Snap. The plaintiffs accuse these firms of designing products that foster compulsive use among youth and link these practices to issues like depression, anxiety, body image concerns, and other mental health challenges. Both companies deny these allegations. Additionally, California state courts have consolidated roughly 3,300 similar cases concerning social media addiction claims.
States pursue separate child safety lawsuit against Meta
Meta faces a distinct federal case initiated by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection is set to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial scheduled for Aug. 17. The states allege Meta unlawfully collected and exploited children’s personal data. They also claim that Facebook and Instagram included features that promoted compulsive usage, and that Meta misled consumers about protections for youth. Meta denies these claims and is defending itself in court.
This multistate case encompasses allegations under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and several state consumer protection statutes. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have filed claims under their respective laws. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the case, citing factual disputes that require further proceedings. Several states have submitted proposals for financial penalties should they prevail. Meta disputes these figures and challenges the legal basis for the sought penalties.
Notable verdicts and judgments in related cases
Recent judicial decisions have intensified the legal debate surrounding social media design and youth well-being. On Aug. 6, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and related initiatives. The ruling also mandates five years of safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. Earlier in March, a New Mexico jury imposed a separate civil penalty of $375 million. Together, these rulings expose Meta to a total financial risk of $942 million in New Mexico alone.
In another case, a Los Angeles jury found both Meta and Google negligent in March for social media addiction claims. Jurors awarded $6 million to a young woman who argued that her childhood exposure to Instagram and YouTube contributed to her addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before trial, under undisclosed terms. Both Meta and Google have announced plans to appeal that verdict. Currently, multiple federal and state courts are handling thousands of claims related to youth social media use, with proceedings spanning various jurisdictions.