Google's YouTube settles case over social media harm to children

Alphabet-owned YouTube and Fox said on Thursday they have reached an agreement to keep Fox News, Fox Sports and other Fox channels for YouTube TV subscribers. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Google's YouTube has settled a lawsuit brought by a minor who claimed the platform damaged his mental health, his lawyers ​said Tuesday, ahead of a second California ​trial over social media's role in ​the youth mental health crisis. The terms of the settlement of the state court lawsuit were confidential, the lawyers said on Tuesday. The suit named four defendants — YouTube, Meta's Instagram, Snap Inc's Snapchat and ByteDance's TikTok — and the remaining three companies are still set to face trial in July. Google spokesperson Jose ⁠Castaneda ‌said in a statement that the lawsuit had been amicably resolved. "Our focus remains ⁠on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise," Castaneda said. John Morgan and Emily Jeffcott, attorneys for the plaintiff, known by his initials R.K.C., said in a statement: "YouTube's decision to resolve this case before having to face a jury speaks for itself." "We will continue fighting on behalf of all those affected by social media addiction ‌to bring these companies to justice and compel them to prioritize the safety of their young users over their bottom lines." R.K.C., a 16-year-old boy from Florida, said he started using social media when he was about eight, according to ​court filings. …