Meta settles child-safety claims with states for $18 billion
Meta has agreed to pay nearly $18 billion to settle claims with nearly every U.S. state regarding child safety. The settlement also imposes new time limits on minors' social media use.
Meta Platforms has reached a settlement with nearly every U.S. state, agreeing to pay close to $18 billion to resolve lawsuits alleging the company's social media platforms fostered compulsive use among children and failed to warn users of addiction and mental health risks. The agreement, which requires court approval, averts a trial where states had initially sought over $1.4 trillion.
As part of the settlement, Meta will implement a default daily time limit of two hours for users under 18. This limit can only be adjusted with parental permission. Additional restrictions include a nightly block between midnight and 6 a.m., and a "school mode" that mutes notifications by default during school hours.
The two-hour daily limit will apply cumulatively across Facebook and Instagram. Meta stated that time spent scrolling on both apps counts toward the total, even for users with multiple accounts. The company will also provide prompts to teenagers after every 15 minutes of continuous screen time, with further reminders when daily usage hits 60 and 90 minutes.
Meta already employs age verification methods, including ID checks and facial analysis. The settlement aims to address concerns raised by state attorneys general regarding the impact of social media on young users' well-being.