Meta Agrees to $18bn Settlement Over Claims Its Platforms Harmed Children

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 52 US attorneys general over allegations that its social media platforms harmed children.

According to The BBC, the lawsuit, filed by attorneys general from 29 US states, accused the technology giant of failing to adequately protect young users from potential harms associated with its platforms.

Under the agreement, Meta said it would introduce stricter measures aimed at protecting teenagers who use Facebook and Instagram.

The proposed measures include tighter restrictions on teenagers’ screen time, limits on overnight access, restrictions on notifications during school hours and expanded parental controls.

The company said the new protections would automatically apply to users under the age of 18 in participating US states and territories, although the agreement remains subject to judicial approval.

Meta’s Chief Legal Officer, C.J. Mahoney, said the agreement would establish a new set of rules governing teenagers’ use of the company’s social media platforms.

“I’m pleased to announce that Meta has reached an agreement with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general from around the country on a new set of rules governing teens’ use of social media,” Mahoney said.

Under the proposed arrangement, teenagers would not be able to independently disable certain restrictions placed on their accounts. Meta said parental permission would be required before a teenager could turn off the applicable limits.

The company said the measures are designed to give parents greater control over how their children interact with its platforms while limiting social media use during periods such as school hours and overnight.

The $18 billion agreement represents a significant financial and regulatory challenge for Meta as governments in the United States continue to increase scrutiny of the impact of social media on children and teenagers.

The settlement also places greater emphasis on parental involvement, with Meta committing to tools intended to give families more control over teenagers’ online experiences.

If approved by the courts, the agreement could significantly reshape how Facebook and Instagram operate for millions of young users in participating US states and territories.