Snap Settles Lawsuit Alleging Platform Harmed Teens' Mental Health

Snap has reached a settlement with two teenage plaintiffs who alleged that the company’s platform was engineered to be addictive and that it contributed to their depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

The case was set to become Snap’s first trial in a broader series of legal actions accusing social‑media firms of harming young users’ mental health. The company had already settled other pending cases, and its CEO, Evan Spiegel, was expected to testify before the trial.

The plaintiffs described starting to watch YouTube as early as age three and joining other social‑media services around age nine. They said they developed compulsive usage patterns, which they linked to platform features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling.

In a statement to TechCrunch, a Snap spokesperson said, “The Parties are pleased to have been able to resolve this matter in an amicable manner.” The spokesperson added that Snap has built safeguards, launched safety tutorials, partnered with experts, and remains committed to continually strengthening safety, privacy and well‑being for its community.

Social‑media giants are currently facing thousands of lawsuits in federal and state courts alleging they knowingly designed their platforms to hook young users and fuel a youth mental‑health crisis involving anxiety, depression and suicide.

Snap’s settlement resolves the specific claims of the two teenagers.

The plaintiffs highlighted early exposure to video platforms and later compulsive use of features like autoplay.

Snap reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to improve safety and well‑being for its users.

The agreement concludes this particular legal dispute, but the broader litigation landscape over social‑media’s impact on youth mental health continues to evolve.