OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Over 3,000 federal lawsuits accusing social media companies of creating addictive platforms are still active following a rejection from a U.S. appeals court of an early legal challenge. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. This ruling preserves the ongoing consolidated case before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs contend that these platforms harmed minors through features designed to foster repeated usage.
Meta and TikTok’s appeal centered partly on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They claimed that the law offered protection from claims related to platform content and warnings. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 offers a defense against liability, not outright immunity from lawsuits. This interpretation prevented the companies from pursuing an immediate appeal. The court did not determine whether Section 230 could later dismiss specific claims as the federal case proceeds.
Multiple parties—including families, individuals, school districts, municipalities, and state authorities—have filed claims in the federal process. The broader litigation also involves Google and Snap. Plaintiffs allege that these companies used product designs encouraging compulsive engagement among young users. They link those practices to issues like depression, anxiety, body image struggles, and other mental health concerns. The accused companies deny these allegations. Additionally, California state courts have about 3,300 consolidated cases related to similar social media addiction claims.
States initiate separate youth safety lawsuit against Meta
Meta faces a distinct federal case filed by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection begins on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial scheduled to start on Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and using children’s personal information. They also claim that Facebook and Instagram incorporated features that fostered compulsive usage. Furthermore, the case alleges Meta misled consumers about protections aimed at youth safety. Meta has denied these accusations and is actively contesting the case in court.
This multistate lawsuit includes claims under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act along with various state consumer protection laws. States like California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have brought claims under their own legislation. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the case before the trial, citing factual disputes that require further proceedings. Several states have submitted calculations seeking financial penalties if they win, while Meta disputes those figures and challenges the legal grounds for the penalties requested.
Recent legal rulings highlight significant judgments and verdicts
Recent court decisions have added new dimensions to the legal landscape surrounding social media safety and youth health. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and related initiatives. The ruling also mandates five years of safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. In a separate March ruling, a New Mexico jury imposed a $375 million civil penalty. Combined, these decisions expose Meta to a total financial risk of $942 million in the New Mexico case.
In another case, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in March over social media addiction. The jury awarded $6 million to a young woman who claimed her childhood use of Instagram and YouTube led to addiction and mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before trial on undisclosed terms. Both Meta and Google plan to appeal the verdict. The ongoing legal actions span multiple courts and involve thousands of claims related to social media use among youth.