Google’s YouTube has settled a lawsuit with a minor identified as “R.K.C.” alleging harm from social media platforms, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports. Terms of the settlement remain confidential. “R.K.C.” also filed lawsuits against Meta, Snap, and TikTok, with those trials scheduled for next month.
YouTube currently faces thousands of similar lawsuits, making this case a potential precursor for future litigation. A spokesperson for Google stated, “Our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise,” and noted the matter was resolved amicably.
The first trial in this area featured a 20-year-old plaintiff known as “K.G.M.,” who claimed to have suffered harm due to social media addiction. “K.G.M.” was awarded $6 million in damages earlier this year, with $4.2 million owed by Meta and $1.8 million by Google. YouTube plans to appeal this verdict, asserting its platform is not a social media site but rather a streaming service.
Pending social media addiction lawsuits in California total over 3,300 in state courts, with an additional 2,600 filed in federal court. These figures underscore the legal challenges facing YouTube and other platforms if large damages are awarded to each plaintiff. Other jurisdictions, such as Kentucky and New York City, are also dealing with similar lawsuits against social media companies.
Meta and other platforms have publicly contested claims of addiction associated with their services. However, Joseph VanZandt, a lawyer involved in the K.G.M. case, has stated that company communications could serve as evidence refuting their non-addictiveness claims. “This is the first time in history a jury has heard testimony by executives and seen internal documents that we believe prove these companies chose profits over children,” VanZandt said.
An update on June 24, 2026, clarified that the $6 million in damages awarded to “K.G.M.” was distributed as 70 percent from Meta and 30 percent from YouTube, correcting an earlier misstatement about the split.
