While a Los Angeles judge refused to dismiss cutting-edge claims that social media caused mental health problems in youth, Facebook, TikTok and others will have another opportunity to toss the same allegations in federal court in which a judge will hear arguments later this week.
On Oct. 13, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl greenlighted some of the claims against the parent companies of TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, clearing a major hurdle for cases in California state courts involving nearly 800 individuals and school districts. Her 89-page ruling rejected one of the strongest defenses among tech firms: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants immunity from the actions of third parties, like companies that provide the content on their sites.
