Meta settles a lawsuit that said it addicted students and left schools to deal with the damage

Meta settled a Kentucky school district lawsuit alleging its platforms were designed to be addictive and harmful to students, ending the case just before trial.

Breathitt County School District had claimed Meta and other apps contributed to mental health problems and school disruption through features like algorithmic recommendations, infinite scroll, and autoplay.

The settlement terms were not disclosed, and the move removes a closely watched test case that could have shaped many similar lawsuits.

The case had been seen as a potential benchmark for claims that social media companies intentionally design products that harm children and burden schools.