A 15-year-old boy from Panama City, Florida, has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Meta Platforms, meaning the company will not face a trial in Los Angeles. The case, which was scheduled to begin on July 27, claimed that Meta's social media platforms were addictive and led to the teenager's depression and anxiety.
The dismissal leaves none of the major tech companies facing trial in this case. It was hoped that the legal action would serve as a bellwether to help resolve thousands of similar lawsuits across the country regarding the design of social media platforms and their impact on the mental health of minors.
This outcome provides a reprieve for Meta after it and YouTube were found guilty in another case in March. In that previous matter, the companies were found liable for negligence and personal injury due to the addictive features of their platforms.