YouTube Settles Child Social Media Harm Lawsuit

Published: June 29, 2026

By Michaela Gordoni

A minor brought a lawsuit against YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok claiming that they’ve damaged his mental health, and YouTube settled their end of the suit.

The terms of the suit are confidential. The 15-year-old minor said he was about eight when he was introduced to social media. He was addicted, lost sleep, and had depression and anxiety as a result, Reuters reported. His attorneys said the boy required mental health treatment in 2023 to treat these issues caused by social media addiction.

John Morgan and Emily Jeffcott, attorneys for the plaintiff, said, “YouTube’s decision to resolve this case before having to face a jury speaks for itself. We will continue fighting on behalf of all those affected by social media addiction to bring these companies to justice and compel them to prioritize the safety of their young users over their bottom lines.”

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated that the lawsuit had been amicably resolved.

“Our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise,” Castaneda said.

This will be the second trial in California state court that involves individuals who say they were harmed by social media platforms as a child. The trial will begin on July 27. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify, as is Instagram CEO Adam Montessori, Snapchat’s founders and two TikTok executives, Courthouse News reported.

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“As jurors saw in the first bellwether trial, leadership at these social media companies have been strategizing for years to hook children early and maximize their usage,” Morgan and Jeffcott said.

There are over 3,300 addiction lawsuits in California that are pending against large social media companies. There are also cases in all other 49 states, and there are over 2,600 pending in federal court.

The first case to go to trial found the companies negligent and ordered Meta to pay $4.2 million in damages and Google to pay $1.8 million. The companies tried to have the verdict sided, but the judge did not grant it.

A New Mexico court recently ordered Meta to pay the state $375 million after finding the company misrepresented the safety of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. A judge will also soon decide whether they will order the company to change the platforms.

Next month, Meta will have to face a trial in a lawsuit brought by the state of Tennessee. Then in August, a federal court case brought by multiple states will present issues against Meta.

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