A 15-year-old plaintiff identified as R.K.C. has discontinued litigation against Meta alleging that social media platforms caused addiction and mental health damage. The case was scheduled for jury trial in Los Angeles the following week as part of ongoing proceedings involving multiple social media companies facing similar accusations.
R.K.C. had previously settled comparable claims against TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. His legal team, represented by attorneys Emily Jeffcott and Rahul Ravipudi, stated that the teenager sought to hold social media companies accountable and advance protections for young users. The attorneys cited concerns about an extended jury trial and indicated that R.K.C. wished to focus on personal recovery and therapy rather than continue litigation.
The defendant’s legal counsel maintained that no settlement payment was made in connection with the case dismissal. A Meta representative stated that the claims lacked merit and reaffirmed the company’s intention to vigorously defend against lawsuits it considers unfounded.
The withdrawal occurs within a broader legal landscape where social media platforms face extensive scrutiny. In a comparable case, a jury previously determined that Meta and YouTube bore liability for mental health harms, resulting in a $6 million damages award—marking the first instance of social media platforms being held legally responsible for user effects. Both companies have appealed that decision. The Los Angeles Superior Court is managing hundreds of similar lawsuits, with the next scheduled trial beginning in October. Additionally, Meta has faced other legal challenges, including a state settlement and a judicial order requiring substantial financial penalties for allegedly misleading users regarding platform safety for children.
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