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| Social Media on Trial: TikTok Backs Out, Meta and YouTube Stay in the Hot Seat. |
What if the apps teens scroll every day are actually designed to keep them hooked? That question is now front and center in a major US courtroom—and the pressure is on.
A high-profile lawsuit accusing social media giants of fueling addiction in young users officially moves forward this week in Los Angeles. But there’s a twist: TikTok has reached a settlement and is stepping away from the trial, leaving Meta and YouTube to face the legal heat.
TikTok Settles, Focus Shifts to Meta and YouTube
According to the plaintiff’s legal team, TikTok’s decision to settle clears the path for a sharper focus on the remaining defendants.
“This is a good outcome, and we’re satisfied with the resolution,” said Mark Lanier, the attorney representing the plaintiff. “Now our attention is fully on Meta and YouTube as the trial gets underway.”
The case will continue as planned in Los Angeles Superior Court, marking one of the first major social media trials of 2026.
A Case Compared to Big Tobacco
Legal experts are already drawing comparisons between these lawsuits and the Big Tobacco cases of the 1990s, when cigarette companies were accused of intentionally designing addictive products.
This time, the spotlight is on Instagram, YouTube, and other social platforms, which are accused of harming the mental health of teens and young adults by keeping them glued to their screens.
It’s Not About Content—It’s About Design
Here’s where it gets interesting. The lawsuits aren’t focused on specific videos or posts. Instead, they target how these apps are built—from endless scrolling to algorithm-driven recommendations that encourage nonstop use.
That approach is a strategic move to get around Section 230, the law that often shields tech companies from responsibility for user-generated content.
Snap Follows TikTok, Meta Faces More Trouble Ahead
TikTok isn’t the only one opting out. Snap, the company behind Snapchat, also settled last week and is no longer part of this trial.
Meanwhile, Meta’s legal battles are far from over. Next week, the company heads to court again—this time in New Mexico, where the state’s attorney general claims Meta failed to protect children from online predators.
And later this year, another major federal trial in Northern California will put TikTok, Meta, YouTube, and Snap back under scrutiny over claims their apps promote addictive and unhealthy behavior among kids and teens.
TikTok Still Under Fire Elsewhere
Even though TikTok settled this case, it’s still facing other personal injury lawsuits. On top of that, the company has recently dealt with technical issues since restructuring its US operations to meet national security requirements.
TikTok blamed recent glitches on a data center power outage, but some users weren’t convinced—raising concerns about possible censorship of political content.
Why This Matters
These cases could change the future of social media as we know it. If courts decide that app design plays a role in addiction, platforms may be forced to rethink how they keep users engaged—especially younger ones.
One thing’s clear: the era of “scroll at your own risk” is officially being challenged.
