OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – In Oakland on August 10, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an initial appeal from Meta Platforms and TikTok, allowing over 3,000 federal lawsuits accusing major tech firms of fostering addictive social media behaviors to proceed. These consolidated cases remain under the jurisdiction of U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Plaintiffs claim that platform features promote compulsive use among children and teens and connect this usage to various mental health issues.
The appeal centered on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Meta and TikTok contended that this law shields them from claims related to platform content and warnings. The appellate court clarified that Section 230 serves as a defense against liability rather than granting complete immunity from lawsuits, meaning the companies could not seek appellate review at this point. The court left open the possibility that Section 230 might later be invoked to challenge individual claims. Consequently, existing trial court orders remain in effect.
Claims are brought by individuals, families, school districts, cities, and state governments. Google and Snap have also been included in the broader litigation. The plaintiffs allege that these companies designed social media platforms that incentivized repeated engagement by young users, resulting in depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other damages. The companies deny these allegations. Additionally, approximately 3,300 related cases with similar claims are consolidated in California state court.
Meta’s Multistate Case Moves Toward Jury Selection
Meta is also the defendant in a separate federal lawsuit initiated by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection for this case is scheduled to begin on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial slated for Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully gathering and utilizing children’s personal data, and allege that Facebook and Instagram incorporated features that foster compulsive use. They further claim Meta misled consumers about platform safety and protections for minors. Meta denies these allegations.
This case involves violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and several state-level consumer laws. Claims have also been brought under the laws of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. A federal judge previously refused to dismiss the case before trial, citing factual disputes requiring further examination. Multiple states have submitted calculations seeking financial penalties if they win, though Meta disputes the legal grounds and figures involved.
Recent Judicial Rulings Intensify Youth Safety Litigation
Significant rulings related to social media safety and child protection have already been handed down. On August 6, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to allocate $567 million to a youth mental health fund and related initiatives, while also mandating safety measures on Facebook and Instagram for five years. Earlier in March, a New Mexico jury imposed a $375 million civil penalty, bringing the combined financial exposure for Meta in that case to $942 million.
Additionally, a jury in Los Angeles ruled against Meta and Google in March, awarding $6 million to a young woman who claimed addiction and mental health harm from childhood use of Instagram and YouTube. TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff prior to trial under undisclosed terms. Meta and Google have announced plans to appeal the California verdict.