SAN FRANCISCO: YouTube reached a confidential settlement with a 15-year-old American who accused the Google-owned platform and other social media networks of harming his mental health, three months after an unprecedented verdict in a similar case.
Google spokesman Jose Castaneda confirmed the deal, saying the company had "built YouTube responsibly" for more than a decade and that its "focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls."
The agreement includes no admission of liability.
Plaintiff's attorneys John Morgan and Emily Jeffcott said YouTube's "decision to resolve this case before having to face a jury speaks for itself," accusing social media executives of "strategising for years to hook children early" through features like autoplay and infinite scroll.
Instagram owner Meta, TikTok and Snapchat remain defendants in the case – the second of its kind in the United States – which is set to go to trial July 27 in Los Angeles.
The plaintiff, identified by his initials RKC, is a teenager from Florida who claims compulsive social media use contributed to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts for which he continues to receive treatment.
His case was selected as a bellwether to help resolve thousands of similar lawsuits across the country.
A first bellwether trial concluded in March, when a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and Google to pay a 20-year-old woman, KGM, US$6mil (RM24.8mil) – a historic first.
Snap and TikTok had settled before that trial for undisclosed amounts.
Another case in New Mexico found Meta liable for misleading consumers about the safety risks its platforms pose to children.
The jury ordered Meta to pay US$375mil (RM1.55bil) in damages.
In May, Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube reached confidential settlements with a Kentucky school district, averting another landmark trial in Oakland.
In a separate case, more than 30 US states are suing Meta over similar allegations, with a potential trial set for August in Oakland. – AFP
Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp; Jakim’s (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214 on WhatsApp; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929 or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
