Meta settles with second teen as Snapchat lawsuit moves forward

Meta has reached a settlement with a second teen alleging social media caused physical and mental health injuries, leaving Snapchat as the only defendant in the Los Angeles case, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Jury selection is underway.

The lawsuit is among thousands alleging social media companies deliberately sought to make children dependent on their platforms, ABC7 reported. The remaining claims focus on whether Snapchat features were designed to keep young users on the app longer, allegations Snap disputes.

The two plaintiffs, ages 16 and 18, are continuing their claims against Snapchat, according to ABC7. Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday.

The plaintiffs allege that addictive and problematic social media use led to depression, eating disorders, self-harm, body dysmorphia and other injuries. Their claims concern Snapchat features including Snapstreaks, Snapscores, push notifications and filters, ABC7 reported.

Snap disputes the allegations. In a statement to Eyewitness News, a company spokesperson said Snap had added safeguards, safety tools and educational resources. The company also said Snapchat starts with a camera instead of a feed and lacks social comparison metrics.

ABC7 placed the case alongside other litigation involving Meta. A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a separate case in March and awarded a young woman $6 million, the outlet reported. It also reported that Meta reached an $18 billion agreement with attorneys general nationwide in August that required more protections for children, including time limits and eliminating visible like counts.

Terms of the latest settlement were not disclosed in the ABC7 report. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has not commented on the agreement.