Meta and Snap to Face Trial Over Social Media Harms
Jury selection for the consolidated case begins October 28 to determine if app design led to health injuries in teenagers.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Internet
Live Poll
Should social media companies be held legally responsible for harms caused to young users?
Jury selection for a consolidated trial regarding alleged social media harms begins October 28 in Los Angeles. The trial centers on allegations that Meta and Snap designed addictive applications that led to mental health issues, eating disorders, and self-harm in plaintiffs SJ and KDB.
Why it matters
This trial follows a wave of thousands of lawsuits targeting platform design and digital safety. The outcome serves as a critical test for whether courts hold companies liable for addictive design features that users allege caused long-term health consequences.
Plaintiffs SJ and KDB allege they were exposed to addictive social media apps at ages 13 and 15, respectively. This trial follows an August 2026 settlement where Meta paid over $18 billion to 52 attorneys-general.
The players
Meta
A multinational technology conglomerate that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and focuses on social networking, advertising, and the metaverse.
Snap
A camera-focused technology company that develops the Snapchat messaging app and augmented reality hardware.
Mark Zuckerberg
The CEO and co-founder of Meta who oversees the company’s long-term product strategy and algorithmic development.
Adam Mosseri
The head of Instagram at Meta, responsible for the platform's product, engineering, and design operations.
Evan Spiegel
The CEO and co-founder of Snap, focused on the company’s messaging architecture and augmented reality initiatives.
The details
The trial addresses allegations that app design features, such as infinite scrolling or algorithmic content delivery, function as addictive stimulants. While Meta faces claims regarding its content and engagement architecture, Snap argues its platform operates primarily as a messaging service, setting it apart from broader social media platforms. Lawyers for the plaintiffs must demonstrate that these design choices caused specific mental health injuries, including eating disorders and self-harm, in the plaintiffs.
Timeline
August 2026: Meta reached an $18 billion settlement with 52 attorneys-general.
October 28, 2026: Jury selection begins in Los Angeles.
November 4, 2026: Opening statements are scheduled to commence.
Mid-November 2026: Testimony from Meta and Snap leadership is expected to begin.
The Tech Race
This litigation follows a precedent-setting $6 million liability verdict earlier this year against Meta and YouTube. The industry is closely watching whether this trial establishes a broader legal framework for accountability regarding app-based health harms.
The trial's outcome may force platform-wide adjustments to app features that are currently deemed addictive by regulators and plaintiffs. Users should monitor potential updates to interface design, screen-time tools, or content delivery algorithms on these platforms.
The takeaway
The court will determine if platform architecture is directly responsible for long-term health harms in young users. Observers should track the mid-November testimonies of top executives, which may reveal details on how engagement algorithms are tuned.
Further reading
For broader context on how platforms are changing, see our coverage on Internet.
Live Poll
Should social media companies be held legally responsible for harms caused to young users?
