A landmark settlement has been reached between Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and a bipartisan coalition of 52 attorneys general. The agreement addresses long-standing concerns about the impact of social media on teenagers and children, with Meta agreeing to pay up to $18 billion over ten years.
The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alleged that Meta had deliberately designed its platforms to encourage compulsive use among young users while downplaying the risks. The attorneys general also accused Meta of violating federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), by collecting and using data belonging to children under 13 without their consent.
Under the agreement, Meta will implement new restrictions on its platforms for users under 18. These include a default two-hour daily usage limit that can only be turned off with parental permission. Additionally, teenagers will no longer receive likes and reaction counts on posts, and cosmetic surgery filters will be blocked. The company will also provide an option for a non-personalized feed and strengthen parental supervision tools.
Meta’s compliance will be overseen by an independent auditor, and the company will be prohibited from making false or misleading claims about its safety features. If YouTube and TikTok agree to similar terms, the daily usage limit for teenagers would be reduced to one hour. The agreement also establishes an independent research foundation focused on teen well-being and social media use.
The settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and well-being. While Meta has faced criticism for its handling of user data and its effects on teenagers, this agreement represents a major concession by the company to address these concerns.
As part of the agreement, participating states will receive roughly $12.7 billion, with California expected to receive between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion. The majority of this money is earmarked for purposes related to the prevention or remediation of mental health or other harms associated with social media use.
For users, the new restrictions on Meta’s platforms are set to take effect within a few months. While some may see these changes as an overreach by regulators, they aim to provide teenagers and children with greater protection from the potential harms of social media. As social media continues to play an increasingly prominent role in our lives, it is essential that we prioritize the well-being and safety of young users.
In practical terms, this settlement highlights the importance of parents being aware of their child’s online activities and taking steps to monitor their usage. While Meta’s new restrictions are a step in the right direction, they should not be seen as a substitute for parental involvement. By staying informed about our children’s online habits and setting clear boundaries, we can help mitigate the risks associated with social media use.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-08-26