Fastrack · Snap Settles Social Media Addiction Suit Before Landmark Trial

Snap settled a lawsuit from two teenagers who say Snapchat was built to be addictive. The plaintiffs' lawyers announced the deal Monday, days into jury selection.

Meta, TikTok and YouTube had already settled with both plaintiffs.
Settlement terms were not disclosed.
CEO Evan Spiegel had been expected to testify.
13 causes of action included negligence, product liability and unfair trade practices.

Why it matters: This was the third bellwether case chosen to test how thousands of related lawsuits will be tried. Snap has now settled every case set for trial against it.

$6 million was awarded in March after a jury found Meta and YouTube negligent.
S.J., 16, and K.D.B., 18, blame autoplay and infinite scroll for compulsive use.

The story so far

4 steps · since Oct 28

Oct 28Meta, Snap Go to Trial Over Social Media Addiction Claims5 sources
Oct 3012:41 PMMeta Reportedly Settles With Second Plaintiff During Addiction Trial4 sources
Oct 301:53 PMMeta Settles Social Media Addiction Cases Ahead of Trial3 sources
Nov 2Snap Settles Social Media Addiction Suit Before Landmark TrialYou are hereLatest

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 9 articles · 45% Center coverage

Where they split: Outlets agree on the facts but differ on emphasis: whether the settlement shows Snap avoiding public scrutiny or simply resolving a dispute.

Center coverage, 4 sources: The center frames the deal as Snap choosing to settle rather than go to trial.

Engadget3hSnap Settles Social Media Addiction Lawsuit To Avoid Trial CTV News2hSnap settles U.S. social media trial days after Meta IBTimes2hMeta Settles Another Lawsuit Over Being Addictive As Legal Reckoning Continues. Its Stock Edged Down.The Hill3hSnap settles social media addiction case, ending bellwether trial

Left coverage, 2 sources: The left frames the settlement around the teens' allegations that Snapchat fueled depression and eating disorders.

TechCrunch3hSnap settles lawsuit accusing platform of fueling teen depression and eating disorders | TechCrunch CBS News3hSnap reaches settlement in social media addiction lawsuit ahead of trial

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right frames the case as a pattern of Snap avoiding trial and as a setback for litigation against Big Tech.

The Epoch Times22hSnap Settles Landmark Social Media Harms Lawsuit, Avoids Trial Again New York Post4hTeens settle with Snapchat parent, ending trial against Big Tech over social media addiction claims NTD2hSnap Settles Landmark Social Media Harms Lawsuit, Avoids Trial Again

What’s next: Snap and Meta still face numerous lawsuits over social media addiction and safety.

$5 billion of Meta's state settlement depends on similar deals from Snap, TikTok and YouTube.
What did Snap agree to pay or change in the settlement?
Will any future bellwether case against Snap reach a jury?