By 5 Towns Central Staff

LOS ANGELES (July 2, 2026) — TikTok has reached a settlement with a Florida teenager who claimed years of compulsive use of the platform contributed to serious mental health struggles, just weeks before a closely watched social media addiction trial is scheduled to begin.

The plaintiff, identified in court filings as 15-year-old R.K.C., alleged that prolonged use of TikTok led to severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The agreement comes after the teen also reached a separate settlement with YouTube on June 23. As a result, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Snapchat parent Snap remain the only defendants in the case, which is scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles on July 27.

The lawsuit is among a growing number of legal challenges alleging that social media companies knowingly designed addictive features that can negatively affect the mental health of young users. The companies have generally denied wrongdoing while continuing to introduce new parental controls and safety tools.

TikTok previously settled another lawsuit involving similar allegations earlier this year. In May, TikTok, Meta, Snap, and YouTube also agreed to pay approximately $27 million to resolve claims brought by a Kentucky school district related to the impact of social media on students.

The upcoming trial against the remaining defendants is expected to be closely watched, as it could shape future litigation involving social media platforms and their responsibility for the well-being of younger users.