A teenager who sued several social media giants over claims their platforms caused serious mental health problems has dropped his lawsuit against Meta, just days before the case was set to go to trial in Los Angeles. The plaintiff, identified only as “R.K.C.,” had accused the companies of failing to warn users about the risks of addiction and data tracking.
R.K.C. originally brought claims against YouTube, Meta, Snap, and TikTok, arguing that the platforms were deliberately designed to maximize engagement among minors, leading to binge eating, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. The case was part of a broader wave of litigation targeting social media companies for allegedly fueling a youth mental health crisis.
YouTube, owned by Google, reached a confidential settlement with the teen in late June. Snap and TikTok also resolved their cases out of court, leaving Meta as the sole defendant. The trial was scheduled to begin July 27 in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, R.K.C.’s attorneys announced he was withdrawing his claims against Meta, citing satisfaction with the litigation’s outcomes and a desire to avoid a grueling weekslong trial. “R.K.C. came into this process wanting to hold social media companies accountable and push for changes to protect young people like himself,” said lawyers Emily Jeffcott and Rahul Ravipudi. “He did that.”
The attorneys added that the teen is “ready to close this chapter and focus on his recovery and engage in therapy as he aspires to have a normal life.” The lawsuit had alleged the platforms’ design prioritized advertising revenue over user safety, a claim echoed in hundreds of similar addiction-related cases.
Meta denied any wrongdoing, with a spokesperson stating that R.K.C. received no payment from the company. “The claims never held up, and this outcome makes clear that we will not back away from defending ourselves against baseless lawsuits,” the spokesperson said.
This case was expected to be the second bellwether trial in a consolidated set of lawsuits filed by individuals, school districts, and states over social media app design. In March, a jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay a combined $6 million for harm caused to a 20-year-old plaintiff who became addicted to the platforms, worsening her depression and anxiety. A Los Angeles judge upheld that verdict in June, though appeals continue.
The resolution of R.K.C.’s case highlights the ongoing legal battles over social media’s impact on youth, as lawmakers and courts grapple with questions of accountability and platform design.
