Monday, August 10, 2026

TikTok reaches out-of-court settlement with teenagers over social media addiction lawsuit

TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits filed by teenagers who claimed the social app was designed to be addictive and damage their mental health.

• August 4, 2026
Youths using TikTok
Youths using TikTok [Parent.kars4kids.org]

TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits filed by teenagers who claimed the social app was designed to be addictive and damage their mental health.

The plaintiffs’ names were protected and represented only with their initials because they were minors.

Joseph VanZandt, the lawyer representing the teenagers, did not disclose the terms of the deal, saying it was not yet finalised.

Among the plaintiffs are 15-year-old S.J. from Illinois, P.M.Y., another 15-year-old girl based in New Jersey, and K.D.B., who is 18 years old from Mississippi.

S.J. claimed suffering depression, self-harm, eating disorder, anxiety and addiction because of TikTok.  P.M.Y. and K.D.B made similar allegations.

Their cases were selected as bellwethers from a pool of over 3000 lawsuits filed before Judge Carolyn Kuhl, who is sitting over consolidated allegations of addiction against social media platforms like Snapchat, Meta, Google and YouTube.

A similar case that ended in trial earlier this year concluded with a $4.2 million ruling against Meta and another $1.8 million against Google following claims of addiction by a young woman. TikTok and Snap were able to settle with the woman to end the case before it could proceed to trial.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Osun State.

States

Traditional rulers sue for peace ahead of Osun governorship poll

The Obalufe warned that anyone found engaging in violence would be punished.

President Bola Tinubu

NationWide

Tinubu to declare world Muslim conference on security open Tuesday 

Mr Mohammad said that the conference would examine global security within the context of Nigeria’s national security challenges.

Rifles seized at Tin Can Island Port Command

Lagos

Customs uncover 399 rifles hidden in container at Tin Can port

The CG said that criminal networks could exploit Nigeria’s borders, ports and airports to move prohibited items into the country ahead of the next general elections.

Oyo APC governorship aspirants

States

2027: Aggrieved Oyo APC governorship aspirants reconcile, pledge support for party’s candidate Sharafadeen Alli 

Mr Lanlehin stated, “No candidate can win a general election by relying only on those who supported him in the primary.”