Wire reporting: (AFP, via Japan Today)

Meta Platforms settled with a second teenage plaintiff in a Los Angeles social media addiction case, leaving Snap Inc. as the only remaining defendant as the trial moves forward^1,2,3,4.

Jury selection began last week in a consolidated case brought by two plaintiffs identified as S.J. and K.D.B. against Meta and Snap^2,5. Meta had already settled with S.J. days before trial, and on Friday plaintiffs' counsel said Meta had also settled with K.D.B.^2,3. Terms were not disclosed^1,5.

TikTok and YouTube, originally named as defendants, had separately settled before trial^1,3,5. A California state judge had consolidated the two plaintiffs' cases into a single trial⁵.

The teens allege they were exposed to addictive and problematic use of social media beginning in early adolescence and suffered depression, eating disorders, self-harm and body dysmorphia, among other claimed harms^4,5. Against Snap, they cite features including Snapstreaks, Snapscores, push notifications and filters⁴.

Attorney Emily Jeffcott, representing K.D.B., said the firm was "pleased to have brought this matter to a just resolution on behalf of our client"³. Meta did not comment on the latest settlement to ABC7; CBS News quoted a company spokesperson saying trials, dismissals and settlements are common in the bellwether process^1,4. AFP, carried by Japan Today, cited sources close to Meta saying the company settled for business reasons⁵.

A Snap spokesperson said Snapchat "opens to a camera, not a feed," and that the allegations "fundamentally misrepresent" how the platform was designed^3,4. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is expected to testify if the case proceeds; Meta executives including Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri had been expected as witnesses before Meta settled^3,5.

ABC7 reported opening statements against Snapchat were scheduled for Wednesday; Japan Today's AFP report said they were set for Nov. 4^4,5. CBS News framed the Meta deal as averting a November trial for that company¹.

The case is one of thousands of youth-harm suits against platforms^4,5. A Los Angeles jury earlier this year found Meta and YouTube liable in a separate bellwether and ordered $6 million in damages; Snap and TikTok had settled that matter before trial^3,5. ABC7 Los Angeles and Japan Today's AFP report said Meta in August agreed to pay more than $18 billion and change teen features in a settlement with attorneys general; CBS News put that figure at up to $17.1 billion^1,4,5. Whether Snap will also settle before opening statements is unknown⁵.