TikTok settles a claim alleging impairment to mental health

TikTok has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by a minor alleging that the platform harmed his mental health, a spokesperson for the law firm representing the plaintiff said on Tuesday.

An agreement in principle has been reached, but the details have not yet been finalized, according to a spokesperson for Morgan & Morgan, the firm representing the plaintiff.

The settlement comes ahead of what is expected to be the second trial in a California state court regarding the role of social media in the youth mental health crisis.

The lawsuit, filed by a 15-year-old boy identified as RKC, named four defendants: YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.

YouTube settled in June, while Instagram and Snapchat remain scheduled for trial in July.

RKC, a Florida native, stated that he began using social media when he was approximately eight years old and became addicted to it, losing sleep and suffering from depression and anxiety, according to court documents.