‘All-or-Nothing’ Social Media Addiction Stances Panned by Judge

A federal judge overseeing hundreds of youth addiction lawsuits against social media companies hinted at releasing a mixed ruling on whether the suits can bypass the tech industry’s legal immunity shield.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers at a Friday hearing criticized the parties for arguing an “all-or-nothing” approach to the companies’ legal defenses.

“It’s not clear to me that the entire thing is thrown out,” Rogers told attorneys in an Oakland, Calif., courtroom. “My view is that this is much more complicated than either of you have briefed us,” she said.

The plaintiffs are advancing a novel legal theory ...