Snap settles lawsuit over teen addiction to Snapchat
The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. Company CEO Evan Spiegel will not have to testify in this case
Snap, the company that owns Snapchat, has reached a settlement with two teenagers who accused the social network of harming their mental health. The settlement was announced by the plaintiffs' representatives on November 2.
The teenagers, identified in court documents by the initials K.D.B. and S.J., claimed that using the apps led to compulsive habits, mental health issues, and self-harm. The terms of the settlement with Snap, including any possible payments, have not been publicly disclosed.
Jury selection began last week, and opening statements from both sides were scheduled for November. Prior to Snap, the plaintiffs had already settled claims against Meta, YouTube, and TikTok. Thus, Snapchat's owner remained the last defendant in this litigation.
Had the trial proceeded, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel would have been required to testify. This would have marked his first court appearance in similar cases involving alleged social media addiction.
The company stated that both parties are satisfied with the opportunity to resolve the dispute amicably. A Snap representative also announced plans to continue improving user safety, privacy, and well-being.
The teenagers' attorneys presented the settlements as a step toward holding social platforms accountable for the impact of their products on children.
This case is part of a broader series of lawsuits. Earlier in 2026, a jury in another case ordered Meta and YouTube to pay a total of $6 million to a young woman who claimed the platforms had harmed her during her childhood. Snap and TikTok had settled before the case went to trial at that time.
The current settlement resolves the specific claims of K.D.B. and S.J. but does not conclude other ongoing legal disputes regarding the safety and alleged harm of social media.
