Teen Drops Meta Suit Alleging Social Media Addiction

A closely watched lawsuit accusing Meta of fueling a Florida teen's mental health struggles with its addictive platform has ended before it began. Days ahead of the trial's planned start in Los Angeles, the 15-year-old plaintiff, identified as RKC, dropped his remaining claims against Meta, his lawyers said Wednesday, per the Guardian.

The case was part of a broader legal push arguing platforms are deliberately built to hook kids. YouTube and TikTok settled last month, and Snap reached a tentative settlement Monday; Meta says RKC walked away without a payout and called the allegations "baseless." His attorneys said that "in light of the overall successful result of the litigation," he opted out rather than endure a lengthy trial and wants to focus on therapy "as he aspires to have a normal life."

The withdrawal follows what was branded a first bellwether case that ended in March with Meta and YouTube being found negligent in the design or operation of their platforms. CNN reports RKC's case was to be the second bellwether trial. The Verge reports there remain seven more bellwether cases in the works in Los Angeles Superior Court. The BBC reports the next one is slated to begin in October.