Google, Snap and TikTok settle Kentucky school lawsuit over social media addiction

Google, Snap and TikTok reached an out‑of‑court settlement with the Breathitt School District in eastern Kentucky, ending a lawsuit that accused the firms of fostering social‑media addiction and anxiety among students. The district had also sought funding for mental‑health programs to address what it described as a digital‑addiction crisis.

The agreement, whose financial terms were not disclosed, averts what would have been the first federal trial of this kind. A related case against Meta is scheduled to begin on June 15. YouTube, also mentioned in the complaint, said it resolved the matter amicably and continues to develop age‑appropriate tools and parental controls.

Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for more than 1,200 similar suits nationwide, with Bloomberg Intelligence estimating potential collective liability for the tech companies at up to €344 billion.