【AI前沿】Snap, YouTube, and TikTok settle suit over harm to students

TechNewsPolicySnap, YouTube, and TikTok settle suit over harm to studentsThis is the first of 1,200 school districts facing off against social media companies.This is the first of 1,200 school districts facing off against social media companies.byTerrence O’BrienMay 16, 2026, 6:34 PM UTCLinkShareGiftSchools say social media is hurting grades and creating a mental health crisis.Image: Cath Virginia / The VergePart OfSocial media on trial: tech giants face lawsuits over addiction, safety, and mental healthsee all updatesTerrence O’Brienis the Verge‚Äôs weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.Snap, YouTube, and TikTok have settled the first lawsuit of its kind, alleging that social media addiction has cost public schools massive amounts of money, according toBloomberg. The suit, filed by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, claims that social media has disrupted learning and created a mental health crisis, straining budgets. The terms of the settlement have not been revealed yet, and Meta is still facing a trial in the same suit, which is viewed as abellwetherfor over 1,000 similar lawsuits across the countryThis follows an earlier case, settled bySnapandTikTok, in which a 19-year-old plaintiff claimed significant personal injury due to addictive social media apps. Google and Meta did not agree to a settlement in that suit, and it eventually went to trial, where a jury awarded the plaintiff$6 million. Meta also recently lost a suit brought by New Mexico‚Äôs Attorney General, to the tune of$375 million.Beyond monetary awards, many, including New Mexico, are pushing forsignificant changesto social media apps to limit their harm to minors. And this is just the start of what‚Äôs shaping up to be a busy year for social media lawsuits. According toBloomberg, lawyers representing school districts said their ‚Äúfocus remains on pursuing justice for the remaining 1,200 school districts who have filed cases.‚ÄùRelated2026 is the year of social media‚Äôs legal reckoningFollow topics and authorsfrom this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Terrence O’BrienCreatorsFacebookLawMetaNewsPolicySnapchatSocial MediaStreamingTechTikTokYouTubeMore in:Social media on trial: tech giants face lawsuits over addiction, safety, and mental healthMeta wants March‚Äôs big social media addiction ruling to be thrown out.Jay PetersMay 7New Mexico has a plan to overhaul Facebook and InstagramLauren FeinerMay 5Meta‚Äôs historic loss in court could cost a lot more than $375 millionLauren FeinerMay 2Most PopularMost PopularMicrosoft starts canceling Claude Code licensesChatbots at the drive-thru are just the beginningHere are 40 of our favorite deals from REI‚Äôs massive Anniversary SaleMicrosoft is retiring Teams‚Äô Together ModeThese are the laptops I recommend for pretty much anyoneThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to ourTermsandPrivacy Notice.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the GooglePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Serviceapply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad