Meta Agrees to $16.7 Billion Settlement Over Child Safety Claims

Meta has reached a settlement with 29 U.S. states to resolve a lawsuit concerning child safety on Facebook and Instagram.

The company will pay up to $16.68 billion (approximately £12.26 billion), as shown in court filings.

As part of the agreement, Meta must implement specific safeguards for teenage users, such as daily usage limits and nighttime access blocks.

Meta maintains that it did not admit wrongdoing by agreeing to the settlement.

The lawsuit alleged that the company violated multiple federal and state privacy statutes protecting children.

The states argued that Meta used its platforms to “entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare” young users, disregarding the harm to their mental and physical health.

Following the announcement, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb described the deal as a “monumental public‑health victory.”

He added that the required safety features will “fundamentally and immediately change how young people interact with Instagram and Facebook.”

The mandated safety measures include restricting children’s access during school hours, enhancing parental controls, and instituting robust age‑verification for under‑age users.

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