Quick answer
A jury in Los Angeles Superior Court is hearing claims by two young people, identified as S.J. and K.D.B., that Snapchat’s design, including Snapstreaks, Snapscore and push notifications, drove compulsive use and harmed their mental health. Jury selection began October 28, 2026. After Meta, TikTok and YouTube settled, Snap is the only defendant. Snap denies the claims.
Key takeaways
- This is a test case (a bellwether) in the coordinated California cases, JCCP 5255, before Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl.
- The plaintiffs allege Snapchat features were built to keep young users coming back. Snap says the claims misrepresent how Snapchat works.
- Opening statements were expected in early November, and the trial is expected to run for several weeks.
- A result in this trial decides only these two cases. Every family’s claim stands on its own facts.
Who is suing
Two young people are suing together before one jury: S.J., a 16-year-old from Illinois, and K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi. Their cases were filed in 2023 and seek compensatory and punitive damages. Judge Kuhl ordered the cases tried together in August 2026.
How Snap became the only defendant
- TikTok settled with both plaintiffs in August 2026.
- YouTube settled with both on September 25, 2026.
- Meta settled with S.J. shortly before trial, and with K.D.B. on October 30, 2026. Terms were not disclosed.
- That leaves Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, as the only defendant at trial.
What the plaintiffs allege
According to reporting on the trial, S.J. alleges that Snapstreaks, Snapscore, filters and push notifications drove compulsive use that contributed to depression, an eating disorder, anxiety and self-harm. Coverage of the case also lists view counts among the features at issue. These are allegations; the jury will decide whether they are proven.
What Snap says
A Snap spokesperson said the claims “fundamentally misrepresent” the plaintiffs’ experiences and how Snapchat works, and that Snapchat opens to a camera rather than a feed. Snap says it has built safeguards, safety tools and educational resources into the app. In 2026 it added screen-time insights to its Family Center parental controls and moved users 13 to 15 to friends-only profiles.
Why this trial matters
When thousands of similar cases are pending, courts try a few first to show both sides how juries respond to the evidence. These bellwether trials don’t decide anyone else’s case, but they often shape how the rest of the litigation proceeds. The first California trial, in March 2026, ended with a jury finding Meta and YouTube negligent; the companies are appealing.
What comes next
- Jury selection was expected to continue into the first week of November, with opening statements to follow.
- Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is expected to testify; no date has been confirmed.
- The trial is expected to run for several weeks, possibly into mid-December.
- We will update this page as the trial moves forward.
What it means for your family
If your child used Snapchat heavily before 18 and developed depression, anxiety, an eating disorder or self-harm, or was contacted by an adult through the app, your family may have its own claim. Each claim is filed in the child’s name and valued on its own facts. Every state sets its own filing deadline.
Common questions
Is Snapchat being sued for addiction?
Yes. Families have sued Snap alleging Snapchat’s design harmed young users’ mental health. A trial against Snap began in Los Angeles on October 28, 2026. Snap denies the claims.
Did Snap settle the social media addiction lawsuit?
Snap settled some earlier cases before trial, with undisclosed terms. In the trial that began October 28, 2026, Snap is the only remaining defendant. There is no settlement program for families.
What Snapchat features are at issue in the trial?
Reporting on the trial names Snapstreaks, Snapscore, filters, push notifications and view counts as features the plaintiffs say drove compulsive use.
Will Evan Spiegel testify?
He is expected to testify, which would be his first trial testimony, but no date had been confirmed as of October 31, 2026.
Sources
- CBS News, jury selection begins in Los Angeles social media addiction trial against Meta and Snap (Oct 28, 2026)
- The Hill (via Yahoo News), Meta settles with second plaintiff during social media addiction trial (Oct 30, 2026)
- Engadget, Meta settles another social media addiction case just before trial (Oct 30, 2026)
- ABC News, jury selection set to begin in Los Angeles in Snap and Meta social media addiction case (Oct 28, 2026)
- MDL Update, JCCP 5255 (California state court) timeline (Oct 2026)
- Snap Newsroom, deeper insights with Family Center (Jan 22, 2026)
- Snap Newsroom, a friends-only way to create and share for Snapchatters under 16 (June 10, 2026)
- Snap, Five years in safety at Snap (Sept 21, 2026)
General information, not legal or medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s health, talk to their doctor. Attorney advertising by Grove and Associates PLC; responsible attorney Justin Grove. Results in other cases don’t predict the outcome of yours.