Meta lawsuit dropped days before trial: ‘Never held up’

NewsThe 15-year-old plaintiff claimed use of social media left him addicted, resulting in mental health issues. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesBy Claudia Dimuro | cdimuro@pennlive.comA lawsuit accusing Meta of creating a highly addictive and harmful environment via their social media platforms has been dropped just days before it was set to go to trial.Consumer Notice reports that the 15-year-old teen simply known as “RKC” who filed the lawsuit against the Facebook parent company claimed to have developed several mental health issues as a result of using its platforms. The trial was supposed to begin in Los Angeles this coming Monday, July 17. According to The Guardian, the lawsuit had named four defendants: YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. It was ultimately dropped after most of them — YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat — secured undisclosed settlements (although Snapchat’s is still tentative).“In light of the overall successful result of the litigation and his concerns about enduring a grueling weeks-long trial, he has elected to withdraw his claims against Meta,” RKC’s attorneys said via statement. “He’s ready to close this chapter and focus on his recovery and engage in therapy as he inspires to have a normal life.” A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the lawsuit had been dropped without the plaintiff receiving payment.“The claims never held up,” a Meta statement said. “This outcome makes clear that we will not back away from defending ourselves against baseless lawsuits.” This lawsuit was the second of nine current major cases pertaining to social media, The New York Times states. The topic has long been the subject of concerns for parents, educators, and health experts alike: A report published to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Library of Medicine explains such an addiction can “manifest in several ways” including “experiencing significant distress when unable to access any social media platforms.” Extended use of the platforms have also been linked to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression in both teenagers and young adults. The legal battle surrounding social media platforms’ responsibility in these harmful health outcomes is far from over: Reuters reported earlier this month that Meta, via a court filing, said four states were seeking a total of $1.4 trillion in penalties for addicting young users. AI is changing Amazon Prime Video: Here’s howIs your T-Mobile bill higher? Your plan probably got changedPrice hike leads to 82% sales drop for video game giant, report saysClaudia Dimuro is a trends reporter, runs the original "Paranormal PA" series which covers the state's weirder stuff, and hosts "Today in Pa.," a Keystone Award-winning podcast.