OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Over 3,000 federal lawsuits accusing social media companies of creating addictive products can proceed after a U.S. appeals court dismissed an early challenge. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. This ruling maintains the consolidated case before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs contend that the platforms harmed children and teenagers through features that promoted repeated use.
Meta and TikTok’s challenge was partly based on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They argued that this law shields them from claims related to platform content and warnings. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 offers a defense against liability rather than complete immunity from lawsuits. This interpretation prevented the companies from immediately appealing the case further. The judges left open the possibility that Section 230 could later be a defense against specific claims as the cases continue through the federal courts.
Claims have been filed by families, individuals, school districts, municipalities, and state governments in the federal proceedings. The broader litigation also involves Google and Snap. Plaintiffs accuse these companies of designing products that fostered compulsive engagement among younger users, linking these practices to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other mental health challenges. The companies deny the allegations. Additionally, California state courts are handling approximately 3,300 consolidated cases related to similar social media addiction claims.
States initiate separate child protection case against Meta
Meta is also defending itself against a separate federal lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection is set to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial scheduled to commence on Aug. 17. The states allege that Meta unlawfully collected and used children’s personal data. They further claim that Facebook and Instagram incorporated features that encouraged compulsive usage. The case also asserts that Meta misled consumers regarding youth safety protections. Meta has denied these allegations and is contesting the case in court.
This multistate lawsuit includes claims under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and multiple state consumer protection statutes. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also filed claims under their respective laws. A federal judge previously declined to dismiss the case before trial, citing factual disputes requiring further investigation. Several states have submitted calculations for potential fines if they win, which Meta disputes, challenging the legal basis of the penalties sought.
Recent rulings highlight significant judgments and verdicts
Recent judicial decisions have intensified the legal battles surrounding social media design and youth safety. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to allocate $567 million toward a youth mental health fund and related initiatives. The ruling also mandates five years of safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. In March, a separate New Mexico jury imposed a civil penalty of $375 million. Combined, these rulings expose Meta to a total financial risk of $942 million in the New Mexico case.
In March, a Los Angeles jury found both Meta and Google negligent in another social media addiction case, awarding $6 million to a young woman who claimed that her use of Instagram and YouTube during childhood led to addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff prior to trial on undisclosed terms. Meta and Google have announced their intention to appeal that verdict. Currently, federal and state courts are handling numerous claims related to youth social media use, spanning multiple jurisdictions and legal proceedings.