Meta faces $18 billion multistate settlement over kids’ safety, new rules implemented

Meta has reached a landmark multistate settlement with a coalition of 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, agreeing to pay up to $18 billion and implement significant changes to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to enhance child online safety. The agreement resolves claims alleging that the company designed its platforms to be addictive for young users, contributing to mental health issues, and misled the public about these risks. This settlement, one of the largest in U.S. history against a tech company, allocates funds primarily for youth online safety initiatives and mental health programs across the participating states.

Under the terms of the settlement, Meta will introduce several new safeguards for users under 18. These include a default two-hour daily time limit across Facebook and Instagram, a ban on app access between midnight and 6 AM, and the disabling of push notifications during school hours and overnight. Additionally, Meta committed to strengthening its age verification systems to prevent underage access and ensure age-appropriate experiences, with independent audits to monitor effectiveness. While Meta denies any wrongdoing, it has called on other social media platforms, such as YouTube and TikTok, to adopt similar safety measures for young users.

The settlement is considered a pivotal moment for online child safety, potentially setting new industry standards. Although the agreement still requires final court approval, it aims to fundamentally alter how young people interact with social media. However, Meta continues to face numerous other lawsuits from individuals and school districts regarding similar allegations.