Social Media Judge Skeptical of Quick Appeal in Schools’ Ruling

Tech giants facing claims that social media platforms harm youth mental health likely can’t fast-track its appeal to the Ninth Circuit, after a California federal judge said such a move would needlessly complicate the hundreds of lawsuits before her.

Meta Platforms Inc., TikTok Inc., Snap Inc., and YouTube LLC are arguing they should be given permission to directly appeal a ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers allowing school districts around the country to advance claims that the tech companies violate public nuisance laws by addicting school-age children.

At the hearing in Oakland, Calif., Rogers said prematurely sending ...