Meta Agrees to $18 Billion Settlement Over Child Safety Claims

Meta has reached an $18 billion settlement with 48 US states, the District of Columbia, and three US territories to resolve allegations that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, harmed children. A California judge approved the settlement, which is the largest payment Meta has made regarding child safety litigation. As part of the agreement, Meta will implement several changes to enhance online safety for children, including default daily time limits and night-time blocks. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that this settlement represents a significant step toward improving the industry’s impact on children. Meta has denied wrongdoing but agreed to distribute the settlement amount in annual installments over a ten-year period. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers noted that the settlement is fair and aims to change conduct to address the negative impacts of social media. The initial lawsuit was filed in 2023 by 29 states, and while the settlement covers most of the US, New Mexico was not included. A recent ruling in New Mexico labeled Meta a 'public nuisance' and imposed fines totaling nearly $1 billion. During a trial in California, state lawyers presented evidence from internal Meta documents, indicating the company was aware of underage users on its platforms. Meta has claimed it has made efforts to improve safety for young users. The settlement includes features such as a default two-hour daily time limit for teens, hidden likes on profiles, and a 'school mode' to mute notifications during school hours. Bonta encouraged other social media platforms to adopt similar safety measures, suggesting that his office would focus on broader changes in the industry if they do not comply. Meta’s chief legal officer, CJ Mahoney, emphasized that the new features will empower parents to manage their children's access to the platforms. The settlement aims to set a precedent for other companies in the social media industry.