Deal narrows high-stakes case over social media’s mental health impact, leaving Meta and Snapchat to face July court showdown

TikTok has reached a settlement with a 15-year-old Florida teenager just weeks before a landmark trial over claims that social media platforms contribute to mental health problems among young users. The agreement leaves Meta and Snapchat as the remaining defendants in the closely watched case.

The teenager, identified only by the initials R.K.C., filed the lawsuit against TikTok, Meta, Snapchat, and YouTube, alleging that the companies designed addictive features that negatively affected his mental health after years of excessive use.

According to his legal team, he continues to receive treatment for anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Law firm Morgan & Morgan, representing the teenager, confirmed the settlement with TikTok but said the terms were not disclosed. YouTube had already settled with the plaintiff in June, while TikTok previously resolved a similar case earlier this year.

The trial, set to begin on July 27 in Los Angeles, is expected to serve as a major test case that could influence thousands of similar lawsuits across the United States concerning the impact of social media on children’s mental health.

Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that major technology companies deliberately deploy features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling to keep young users engaged for longer periods, prioritising profit despite known psychological risks.

The latest development comes amid a wave of legal action against leading social media firms. Earlier this year, Meta and Google’s YouTube were ordered to pay $16 million in a separate case. In another instance, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube agreed to a $27 million settlement with a Kentucky school district to avoid trial over similar allegations.