OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Over 3,000 federal lawsuits accusing social media companies of creating addictive products remain active after a U.S. appeals court dismissed an initial challenge. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. The ruling maintains the consolidated litigation before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs assert that the platforms harmed children and teenagers by implementing features designed to promote repeated usage.
Meta and TikTok’s challenge rested in part on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They claimed that this law shields them from claims related to platform content and warnings. The court of appeals clarified that Section 230 offers a defense against liability rather than complete immunity from legal action. As a result, this distinction prevented the companies from seeking an immediate appeal. The judges did not rule on whether Section 230 could ultimately negate specific claims as the cases continue through federal courts.
Claims have been filed by families, individuals, school districts, municipalities, and state governments in the federal proceedings. The broader suit also involves Google and Snap. The plaintiffs accuse these companies of designing products that foster compulsive engagement among younger users, linking such practices to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other mental health concerns. The companies have denied these allegations. Additionally, California state courts are managing approximately 3,300 consolidated cases related to 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 begins on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial scheduled to commence on Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and utilizing children’s personal data. They also allege that Facebook and Instagram incorporated features that encouraged compulsive usage. The case further claims Meta misled consumers about the safety protections for youth. Meta has denied these charges and is actively contesting the case in court.
This multistate case encompasses claims under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act along with various state consumer protection statutes. States such as California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also filed claims under their own laws. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the case before trial, citing factual disputes requiring further investigation. Several states have submitted financial penalty calculations should they succeed, though Meta disputes both the figures and the legal basis for such penalties.
Recent judicial decisions highlight significant verdicts and judgments
Recent rulings have added momentum to the ongoing legal battles concerning social media design and youth safety. On Aug. 6, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and associated programs. The order also mandates five years of safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. Earlier in March, a New Mexico jury imposed a separate $375 million civil penalty. These rulings together expose Meta to a combined financial liability of $942 million in the New Mexico case.
In another case, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in March over social media addiction claims. Jurors awarded $6 million to a young woman who argued that her childhood use of Instagram and YouTube contributed to addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap reached settlement with the plaintiff before trial on undisclosed terms. Both Meta and Google have announced plans to appeal the verdict. The ongoing federal and state litigation now involves multiple courts and thousands of claims related to social media’s impact on youth.