Snap reaches settlement in lawsuit over impact on teen mental health

Snap has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by two teenagers who accused the platform of fostering addictive behaviors linked to depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The agreement was finalized just before the start of a trial in which Snap CEO Evan Spiegel was scheduled to testify.

The plaintiffs alleged that features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling contributed to compulsive usage patterns, dating back to their childhood. This case represents a single point in a broader wave of litigation targeting major social media companies over their alleged role in a nationwide youth mental health crisis.

A spokesperson for Snap stated that the company is pleased to have reached an amicable resolution to the dispute. The company pointed to existing safeguards and ongoing collaborations with safety experts as evidence of its commitment to user well-being. Despite this settlement, thousands of similar lawsuits against social media platforms remain pending in U.S. federal and state courts.