Social Media: 1)TikTok settles as social media giants face landmark trial over youth addiction claims; 2)Meta, TikTok and YouTube face landmark trial over youth addiction claims; 3)News You Can Use; 4)5 Colors to Use in Your Marketing This Year Pinterest’s 2026 Palette TM
1) TikTok settles as social media giants face landmark trial over youth addiction claims
Courtesy Barrie360.com and The Associated Press
By Kaitlyn Huamani And Barbara Ortutay, January 28, 2026
TikTok agreed to settle a landmark social media addiction lawsuit just before the trial kicked off, the plaintiff’s attorneys confirmed.
The social video platform was one of three companies — along with Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube — facing claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. A fourth company named in the lawsuit, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum.
Details of the settlement with TikTok were not disclosed, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
At the core of the case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
Joseph VanZandt, co-lead counsel for the plaintiff, said in a statement Tuesday that TikTok remains a defendant in the other personal injury cases, and that the trial will proceed as scheduled against Meta and YouTube.
Jury selection starts this week in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. It’s the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms. The selection process is expected to take at least a few days, with 75 potential jurors questioned each day through at least Thursday. A fourth company named in the lawsuit, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum.
“This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly, new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project.
KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.
“Borrowing heavily from the behavioural and neurobiological techniques used by slot machines and exploited by the cigarette industry, Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue,” the lawsuit says.
Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.
“Plaintiffs are not merely the collateral damage of Defendants’ products,” the lawsuit says. “They are the direct victims of the intentional product design choices made by each Defendant. They are the intended targets of the harmful features that pushed them into self-destructive feedback loops.”
The tech companies dispute the claims that their products deliberately harm children, citing a bevy of safeguards they have added over the years and arguing that they are not liable for content posted on their sites by third parties.
“Recently, a number of lawsuits have attempted to place the blame for teen mental health struggles squarely on social media companies,” Meta said in a recent blog post. “But this oversimplifies a serious issue. Clinicians and researchers find that mental health is a deeply complex and multifaceted issue, and trends regarding teens’ well-being aren’t clear-cut or universal. Narrowing the challenges faced by teens to a single factor ignores the scientific research and the many stressors impacting young people today, like academic pressure, school safety, socio-economic challenges and substance abuse.”
A Meta spokesperson said in a statement Monday the company strongly disagrees with the allegations outlined in the lawsuit and that it’s “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”
José Castañeda, a Google Spokesperson, said Monday that the allegations against YouTube are “simply not true.” In a statement, he said “Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.”
TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
The case will be the first in a slew of cases beginning this year that seek to hold social media companies responsible for harming children’s mental well-being. A federal bellwether trial beginning in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.
In addition, more than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The majority of cases filed their lawsuits in federal court, but some sued in their respective states.
TikTok also faces similar lawsuits in more than a dozen states.
In New Mexico, meanwhile, jury selection begins next week for trial on allegations that Meta and its social media platforms have failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation, following an undercover online investigation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez in late 2023 sued Meta and Zuckerberg, who was later dropped from the suit.
Prosecutors have said that New Mexico is not seeking to hold Meta accountable for its content but rather its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that can be harmful, saying they uncovered internal documents in which Meta employees estimate about 100,000 children every day are subjected to sexual harassment on the company’s platforms.
Meta has said it uses sophisticated technology, hires child safety experts, reports content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and shares information and tools with other companies and law enforcement, including state attorneys general, to help root out predators.
2)Meta, TikTok and YouTube face landmark trial over youth addiction claims
Courtesy Barrie360.com and The Associated Press
By Barbara Ortutay, January 27, 2026
Three of the world’s biggest tech companies face a landmark trial in Los Angeles starting this week over claims that their platforms — Meta’s Instagram, ByteDance’s TikTok and Google’s YouTube — deliberately addict and harm children.
Jury selection starts this week in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. It’s the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms. The selection process is expected to take at least a few days, with 75 potential jurors questioned each day through at least Thursday.
A fourth company named in the lawsuit, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum.
At the core of the case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.
“Borrowing heavily from the behavioural and neurobiological techniques used by slot machines and exploited by the cigarette industry, Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue,” the lawsuit says.
3)News You Can Use
Courtesy Social Media Examiner, Industry news from Google, Pinterest, TikTok, and more
January 27, 2026
Google Expands Demand Gen Campaign Features: Google’s January Demand Gen update brings several new features to general availability, including Shoppable CTV, which enables viewers to browse and purchase products via YouTube ads on connected TVs. Advertisers can now also track campaign-driven branded searches and use Travel Feeds to generate dynamic hotel ads with real-time info. Demand Gen has shown strong results for brands like LG Electronics, outperforming paid social in conversion rates and CPA. These tools aim to help marketers more effectively turn viewer engagement into action. Google
Pinterest Launches Built-In Media Planner for Campaign Forecasting: Pinterest has introduced a new Media Planner tool within Ads Manager, aimed at simplifying campaign planning for brand awareness and consideration objectives. The tool enables marketers to identify target audiences, estimate budget-based performance metrics, and compare scenario outcomes across formats and timeframes. Pinterest
Pinterest Defeats Copyright Lawsuit Over Off-Platform Notifications: A U.S. District Court has ruled in favor of Pinterest in a copyright lawsuit filed by photographers who claimed the platform infringed their works by displaying images in off-platform notifications. The plaintiffs had narrowed their complaint to focus solely on how Pinterest used copyrighted photos in emails and push alerts. Pinterest argued its conduct was protected by DMCA safe harbor provisions, and the court ultimately agreed, granting summary judgment on January 5, 2026. The case underscores evolving copyright questions around content distribution beyond traditional web and app interfaces. Bloomberg Law
Threads Overtakes X in Mobile Daily Active Users: Meta’s Threads has edged past X in mobile daily usage, reaching 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android, according to Similarweb. The growth is driven by Meta’s strategic cross-promotions, creator-focused tools, and a steady rollout of new features, including long-form posts and DMs. While Threads remains weak on the web, where X still commands 145.4 million daily visits, the mobile lead marks a significant shift. TechCrunch
Threads Ads Expand Globally: Meta is launching ads on Threads to users in all global markets starting next week, building on the platform’s rapid growth to over 400 million monthly active users. Threads ads will appear in-feed using Meta’s AI-powered system, offering personalized ad placements similar to Facebook and Instagram. Advertisers can integrate Threads into existing campaigns via Ads Manager, with support for various formats including carousel, 4:5 ratio, and Advantage+ catalog/app ads. Meta is also rolling out simplified account management and third-party brand safety verification to enhance confidence and control for advertisers. Meta
TikTok Forms U.S.-Based Joint Venture to Meet National Security Mandates: TikTok has launched TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a majority American-owned entity formed to comply with a 2025 U.S. Executive Order focused on data security and national oversight. The venture is designed to protect U.S. user data and algorithm integrity through Oracle’s cloud infrastructure, rigorous cybersecurity protocols, and independent content moderation. It will also manage U.S. operations for other apps like CapCut and Lemon8. Led by CEO Adam Presser and governed by a U.S.-majority board, the initiative aims to secure the platform’s future in the U.S. market. TikTok
TikTok Launches Streaming Ads: TikTok has unveiled Streaming Ads, a Smart+-powered solution designed to help streaming services convert viewer interest into new subscriptions. The ad format showcases multiple titles through dynamic experiences like Media Cards and Multi-Show carousels, optimized in real-time using intent signals. Streaming Ads enable performance-driven targeting and easy setup through TikTok Ads Manager. TikTok
TikTok Expands Pulse Suite for Culturally Relevant Ad Placements: TikTok has enhanced its Pulse Suite, enabling brands to appear next to the platform’s most culturally impactful content through Pulse Premiere and Pulse Core. Pulse Premiere aligns ads with premium publisher content from partners like Formula 1 and Warner Bros Discovery, while Pulse Core leverages real-time trends and high-performing user content across preset and custom categories. TikTok
TikTok Launches Q1 2026 Brand Tools for Smarter Campaigns and Insights: TikTok’s Q1 2026 Product Preview introduces a suite of updates aimed at helping brands streamline operations, scale creative, and improve mid-funnel performance. New Registered Business Accounts unlock profile features and brand safeguards, while Partner Exchange simplifies creative collaboration within TikTok One. Creative for Smart+ now includes Auto-select for app campaigns, automating asset selection for better outcomes. TikTok Market Scope expands with deeper analytics across commerce, entertainment, and telecom sectors. Updates to Brand Consideration and Traffic campaigns enable improved targeting of high-intent audiences. TikTok
X Open Sources Algorithm: X has published its updated feed-ranking algorithm on GitHub, offering a detailed look at how it surfaces both organic and ad content using Grok-based AI. The system prioritizes user engagement signals and filters out undesirable posts without any manual tuning. While the move is framed as a transparency milestone, it arrives as the company faces intense criticism over Grok’s role in generating deepfake content and a $140 million EU fine for transparency violations. Some view the open-sourcing as a strategic move to manage public and regulatory perception. TechCrunch
YouTube Unveils 2026 Vision: AI Tools, Shopping Features, and Creator-Led TV: YouTube CEO Neal Mohan shared the platform’s 2026 roadmap, highlighting a push to redefine entertainment through creator-driven content and customizable experiences across devices. New features include AI-powered tools for Shorts, games, and music creation, as well as enhanced protections against misleading synthetic media. YouTube is also deepening parental controls and expanding revenue streams with in-app shopping, brand deal tools, and fan funding upgrades. YouTube
YouTube Streamlines Content Management and Settings UI: YouTube is simplifying its mobile app by consolidating content management tools onto the channel page. The “Manage Videos” option is being removed, and creators will now manage all videos, Shorts, and live streams directly from their channel page after uploading content. Additionally, YouTube is rolling out a redesigned video settings interface with expandable grouped fields to improve usability. Shopping program participants will also benefit from a new product tag field. YouTube
4)5 Colors to Use in Your Marketing This Year Pinterest’s 2026 Palette TM
Courtesy, Today’s Guide to the Marketing Jungle from Social Media Examiner…
January 27, 2026
What if color wasn’t just a design choice—but a business signal?
Pinterest’s 2026 Palette™ is more than a mood board. This year’s five standout shades aren’t just trending; they reflect a deeper emotional shift in how people want to feel and what they want their lives to look like.
For marketers trying to decode consumer behavior, these hues offer a vivid glimpse into the psyche of 2026 audiences: bold, expressive, and seeking emotional utility in everything from fashion to digital experiences.
But what does that mean for your brand’s visual storytelling? If you’re still defaulting to safe neutrals, you could be missing a major moment. The demand for vibrant, emotion-driven aesthetics is rising, and platforms like Pinterest are surfacing exactly how people are choosing to engage.
Whether you’re crafting your next campaign, choosing a brand refresh palette, or simply watching what’s next, this year’s colors carry more weight than meets the eye.
Curious what each shade signals—and how to tap into the emotional trends behind them? Read more here: https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-ca/news/from-cool-blue-to-persimmon-meet-the-2026-pinterest-palette/?__s=4hybyoxwijsbdpfuiwhq