Meta Agrees to $18B Deal Over Teen Social Media Addiction Claims

Meta Platforms has agreed to pay as much as $18 billion over the next decade and take unprecedented steps to limit teenage use of Facebook and Instagram as part of a historic settlement with nearly every US state.

The deal, announced Wednesday, August 26, settles a federal lawsuit in Oakland alleging that Meta built its platforms to addict minors and children, and tricked users into believing they were safe.

The settlement addresses lawsuits filed by 47 states and other parts of the US.

Under the agreement, Meta will implement enhanced protection measures for users under 18, such as preset two-hour daily limits on Facebook and Instagram usage.

Teen accounts will be blocked from using the service overnight, from midnight to 6 am, unless the account has parental consent.

During the school day, Meta will mute most push notifications and hide like counts for teen accounts.

Meta will have to do a better job at age-assurance measures to keep children out of age-restricted content.

According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a breakthrough would deliver a new set of changes without years of more lawsuits.

“This is a breakthrough, a milestone moment, a watershed moment,” Bonta said.

Bonta claimed the deal would “make social media less dangerous for our kids” and require “major change” to how Meta’s platforms (such as Facebook and Instagram) treat young users.

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Protection that goes Above and Beyond

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser went with the agreement, stating it “resulted in protections that go above and beyond what the courts had ordered.”

“The focus of this case was to protect our kids,” Weiser said. “The relief we are getting in this settlement is very meaningful and well beyond what any court has ordered or is likely to order.” Colorado Attorney General

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Meta Settlement Details

The settlement money will also be used to finance efforts to safeguard and enhance the mental well-being and safety of children, like after-school programs and improvements in internet literacy. Colorado is likely to get roughly $615 million over nine years.

The compromise still must go before a judge for approval before it can be implemented.

States including Florida and New Mexico are among those pursuing a separate legal action against Meta.

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg During a News Conference at the Company’s Headquarters in October 6,2010
PHOTO/AFP