OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – More than 3,000 federal lawsuits alleging social media addiction are now allowed to proceed following a decision by a U.S. appeals court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed appeals from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10, rejecting their challenge to ongoing litigation. The companies argued that the lower court’s orders were premature, but the appeals court determined they sought review too early. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing these consolidated federal cases in Oakland.
This legal dispute partly revolves around Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Meta and TikTok contended that this law shields them from claims related to warnings about platforms they allege to be addictive. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 offers a defense against liability, not immunity from lawsuits. This interpretation prevented an immediate appeal at this stage, leaving earlier orders from the federal trial court intact without ruling on whether the companies are ultimately liable.
The plaintiffs consist of individuals, families, school districts, municipalities, and states. They accuse Meta, Alphabet’s Google, ByteDance’s TikTok, and Snap of designing products that promote compulsive usage among youth. These lawsuits link those design choices to issues such as depression, anxiety, body image concerns, and other damages. The companies deny the allegations. The plaintiffs are pursuing damages, penalties, and restitution through the federal case. Additionally, roughly 3,300 related cases with similar claims have been consolidated in California state court.
Oakland Advances with a Separate Meta Trial
Meta’s request to delay a separate lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general was also denied by the appeals court. Jury selection in that case is set to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with opening statements scheduled for Aug. 18. The states allege Meta unlawfully collected and utilized data from children. They also claim Facebook and Instagram used features that foster addictive behaviors and that Meta misled consumers regarding platform safety. Meta has denied the accusations in this multistate lawsuit.
This case involves claims under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act along with several state consumer protection laws. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are also involved with state-specific claims scheduled during the proceedings. A federal judge previously rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss the case before trial, citing factual disagreements requiring further review. Four states have submitted calculations seeking significant penalties if they prevail, while Meta contests both the calculations and their legal foundation.
Historic Rulings Contribute to Social Media Litigation Wave
These federal lawsuits follow several notable court decisions related to youth safety and social media platform design. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and related initiatives. The court also mandated safety measures for Facebook and Instagram for five years. This judgment followed a $375 million civil penalty imposed by a New Mexico jury in March. Together, these rulings impose a total financial liability of $942 million on Meta in that case.
In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in a separate social media case. Jurors awarded $6 million to a young woman who claimed she developed an addiction to platforms like Instagram and YouTube as a child, resulting in mental health issues. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff before trial on undisclosed terms. Meta and Google have announced plans to appeal the California verdict.