Tech companies to face thousands of lawsuits over social media addiction

(NBC, KYMA) - Thousands of lawsuits over social media addiction will move forward.

A U.S. appeals court ruled Monday that suits against Meta, Google, TikTok and other companies will proceed over claims that the platforms are designed to be addictive to young users.

Reuters reported a San Francisco court rejected the companies' appeal "saying it came too early in the litigation."

The defendants argue the Communications Decency Act of 1996 bars lawsuits claiming online platforms failed to warn the public about the products' addictive nature.

More than 3,000 lawsuits have been filed by states, school districts, individuals and others. They allege the platforms contribute to young users' depression and mental health issues.