The first bellwether trials for the Social Media Addiction multidistrict litigation (MDL) are set to begin in 2026, delayed from an initial October 2025 schedule, to address claims that platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Snap (Snapchat), ByteDance (TikTok), and Alphabet (YouTube) designed addictive features causing mental health harms to young users. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, overseeing the MDL in the Northern District of California, selected 11 bellwether cases on June 16, 2025, including six school district lawsuits from Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, and South Carolina, and five personal injury cases from families alleging severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicides linked to excessive social media use.
These trials, part of MDL 3047 with 1,867 active lawsuits as of July 1, 2025, aim to gauge jury responses to evidence and arguments, potentially shaping settlements or future litigation. The plaintiffs claim platforms use addictive algorithms and fail to warn about mental health risks, with harms like cyberbullying affecting nearly half of U.S. teens per a 2022 Pew Research study. Judge Rogers may bifurcate trials into two phases: a jury phase for liability and damages, and a bench phase for injunctive relief. Discovery is ongoing, with fact discovery due by April 4, 2025, and expert witness challenges scheduled for late 2025.
In a related California state court proceeding (JCCP), nine bellwether cases are set for trial starting November 25, 2025, with similar allegations. The litigation, involving over 1,900 claims, accuses tech giants of negligence and defective design, with some claims surviving Section 230 immunity challenges. Outcomes could influence tech regulations and platform accountability for youth mental health.