YouTube has reached a confidential settlement with a 15-year-old American who accused the Google-owned platform and other social media companies of harming his mental health, avoiding what would have been another landmark US trial over social media addiction.
Google confirmed the agreement on Tuesday but did not disclose its terms. The settlement includes no admission of liability.
“We have built YouTube responsibly for more than a decade,” Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said, adding that the company remains focused on developing age-appropriate products and parental controls.
Lawyers for the teenager said the settlement reflected YouTube’s desire to avoid a jury trial. They accused social media companies of designing features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling to keep young users engaged for extended periods.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Florida teenager identified by the initials RKC, who alleges that compulsive use of social media contributed to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. He continues to receive treatment, according to court filings.
Meta-owned Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat remain defendants in the case, which is scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles on 27 July.
The lawsuit is one of thousands of similar cases pending across the United States and was selected as a bellwether case, intended to test legal arguments and evidence ahead of broader litigation.
The settlement comes three months after a Los Angeles jury delivered a landmark verdict in the first bellwether trial, ordering Meta and Google to pay $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who claimed social media platforms contributed to her mental health problems.
TikTok and Snapchat settled with the plaintiff before that trial for undisclosed amounts.
In another significant ruling, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for misleading consumers about risks posed to children by its platforms and awarded $375 million in damages.
The legal pressure on major technology firms continues to grow. In May, Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube reached confidential settlements with a Kentucky school district, avoiding another closely watched trial.
Separately, more than 30 US states have sued Meta over allegations related to youth safety and social media addiction, with a trial tentatively scheduled for August in Oakland, California.
