Snap has agreed to settle a high-profile lawsuit brought by two teenagers, avoiding a trial that would have required CEO Evan Spiegel to testify. The legal action was filed by minors identified in court documents as K.D.B. and S.J., who alleged that their use of the Snapchat application led to self-harm and other mental health problems.
Jury selection for the case had already begun last week, with the trial scheduled to commence this month. This settlement marks a significant development as Spiegel was expected to appear in court for the first time in a social media addiction trial if the proceedings had continued. A lawyer representing the teens confirmed that an agreement has been reached, although the specific financial terms were not disclosed.
Emily Jeffcott, an attorney for K.D.B., stated in a press release that the legal team is proud to have achieved justice for their bellwether clients so far. She emphasized that the ultimate goal remains holding social media companies accountable for their impact on millions of children across the country, noting that these settlements help advance that objective.
This case is part of a broader wave of litigation against major platforms regarding alleged addiction and mental health harms. Earlier this year, Meta, YouTube, Snap, and TikTok faced a separate lawsuit from a 20-year-old woman claiming childhood harm from app usage. In that instance, Snap and TikTok settled before the trial began, while a jury ruled against Meta and YouTube, ordering them to pay $6 million in damages.
Following a settlement by Meta in the current case last week, Snap was the only remaining defendant. The company expressed satisfaction in resolving the matter amicably, with a spokesperson reiterating their commitment to strengthening safety, privacy, and well-being within their community. Despite this resolution, both Meta and Snap continue to face numerous other lawsuits concerning social media addiction and alleged safety issues.
Sources: Engadget.