US EditionMeta, TikTok Can’t Toss Wrongful Death Suit From Mom of “Subway Surfing” Teen
- In July 2025, a New York state judge allowed Norma Nazario's wrongful death claims against Meta Platforms and ByteDance to proceed, holding the companies potentially responsible for contributing to her son Zackery's fatal subway surfing incident.
- The lawsuit follows Zackery Nazario's death on February 20, 2023, when he was struck by a low beam while atop a Brooklyn-bound J train crossing the Williamsburg Bridge.
- Judge Paul Goetz found that Norma Nazario sufficiently alleged that social media algorithms actively targeted Zackery with subway surfing content due to his age, not just user interest.
- Goetz indicated that, based on the complaint's allegations, the social media platforms likely went beyond merely providing neutral support in distributing content, which opens the door for investigating how Zackery engaged with the subway surfing material.
- This ruling advances legal challenges against social media firms accused of addicting teens to dangerous content and could require them to modify algorithms to limit such exposure.
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14 Articles
Meta, TikTok Can Be Held Liable For Subway Surfing Death Of 15-Year-Old Boy Addicted To Viral Challenges, Says New York Judge - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)
A New York judge ruled that Meta and ByteDance can be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of a 15-year-old who died while subway surfing, alleging that social media platforms fueled his addiction to dangerous viral challenges.
Meta, TikTok Can Be Sued By Mother Of New York Teen Killed While 'Subway Surfing'
Meta Platforms and TikTok owner ByteDance must face a wrongful death lawsuit by the mother of a 15-year-old Manhattan boy who died while "subway surfing" on a moving train, a New York state judge ruled.
Channel News Asia
Meta, TikTok can be sued by mother of NYC teen killed while 'subway surfing'
NEW YORK :Meta Platforms and TikTok owner ByteDance must face a wrongful death lawsuit by the mother of a 15-year-old Manhattan boy who died while "subway surfing" on a moving train, a New York state judge ruled.Justice Paul Goetz ruled on Friday that Norma Nazario can try to prove Meta and ByteDance "goaded"
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