YouTube, Snap and TikTok have officially reached a settlement in the first social media accountability case to go to trial.
The settlement is intended to cover the entire cost to school districts of creating a positive, safe environment for children and dealing with the youth mental health crisis allegedly fueled by the companies.
The settlement was detailed in court filings in federal court in Oakland, California, on Friday. The primary purpose behind this revelation is to resolve the claims of the Kentucky school district, which is still scheduled to take the Facebook and Instagram meta platforms to trial on June 15.
“This matter has been resolved amicably and our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise,” YouTube said in a statement.
On March 25, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Alphabet’s Google liable for negligence in designing social media platforms that harmed young people.
A combined $6 million was awarded to a 20-year-old woman who said she became addicted to social media as a child.
The companies have rejected the allegations, saying they have taken important steps to keep young users safe on their platforms.
Breathitt is one of 1,200 school districts that have sued social media companies over claims they have created a mental health crisis among youth and left schools reeling from its consequences.
To that end, the school district is seeking more than $60 million to cover the impact of social media on students’ mental health. Additionally, the District is also requesting a court order that would require the companies to modify their platforms and reduce addictive features.
