Meta agrees to $18 billion settlement and new teen safety measures

Meta announced a settlement covering 48 states, Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories that includes a payment of up to $18 billion. The agreement also requires the company to impose two-hour daily limits for teenage users, block push notifications during school hours, hide like counts and cosmetic filters, and restrict teen activity between midnight and 6 a.m.

The measures are intended to address concerns about the impact of social-media use on young people’s mental health. Critics note that the settlement does not alter Meta’s broader business model, which relies on algorithmically driven content that has been described as harmful to children’s developing brains. Internal documents cited by observers indicate that the company was aware of these risks but had not taken corrective action before the settlement.

"We have been demanding accountability from platforms that profit from the vulnerabilities of children," a spokesperson for a coalition of parents and advocacy groups said.

The settlement marks the first major legal action of its kind, but observers say further regulatory steps may be needed to ensure lasting protection for minors online.