Investing.com — Meta Platforms, TikTok parent ByteDance, Snap, and Alphabet’s YouTube have agreed to pay roughly $27 million to settle claims brought by a Kentucky school district alleging their platforms contributed to a student mental health crisis, Reuters reported on Friday.
According to documents obtained by Reuters, Meta agreed to pay the largest share of the settlement at $9 million. TikTok and Snap each agreed to pay $8 million, while YouTube agreed to pay about $2.01 million.
The settlements resolve claims brought by the Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, which accused the companies of designing their platforms to keep young users engaged, contributing to anxiety, depression, and self-harm among students.
Meta settled the case on May 21, several weeks before a trial that had been scheduled to begin in June. The company followed earlier settlements reached by Snap, YouTube, and ByteDance.
The agreements do not require any of the companies to admit wrongdoing and include no commitments to change features or operations on their platforms.
Meta, YouTube, and Snap said they had resolved the matter amicably and remain focused on tools and features designed to help protect younger users. TikTok did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The Breathitt County School District had sought more than $60 million to fund programs aimed at addressing the effects of social media on student mental health, including a proposed 15-year support initiative.
The district had also requested a court order requiring the companies to modify features it described as addictive.
The case was expected to serve as a bellwether trial in broader litigation involving school districts across the United States. More than 1,200 school districts have filed similar claims, alleging social media platforms contributed to rising mental health challenges among students.
Several larger school systems are also pursuing claims.
Tucson Unified School District in Arizona is seeking more than $1.1 billion to fund a long-term mental health program, while the Los Angeles Unified School District and New York City’s public school system have also filed lawsuits.
The settlements come as social media companies continue to face mounting legal scrutiny.
Reuters reported that more than 3,300 addiction-related lawsuits are pending in California state court, alongside another 2,400 cases in federal court brought by individuals, municipalities, states, and school districts.
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