Meta Reaches Settlement With 39 States; New York Could Receive Nearly $1.1 Billion
Salman J. Choudhury :
Meta has reached a major settlement with 39 U.S. states over allegations that its social media platforms have contributed to harmful effects on the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers.
Under the agreement, Meta will introduce a series of new restrictions and safety measures for users under 18 on Facebook and Instagram. The company has also agreed to pay the participating states nearly $17 billion over the next decade, with New York expected to receive approximately $1.1 billion.
State officials have accused Meta of designing its platforms in ways that encourage young users to spend excessive amounts of time online, potentially affecting their sleep, education and mental well-being.
Two-Hour Daily Limit
One of the key provisions of the settlement would limit users under 18 to a maximum of two hours of Facebook and Instagram use per day.
Teen users would also face restrictions on platform access between midnight and 6 a.m., although exceptions could be made with parental permission.
In addition, most push notifications for teenagers would be disabled between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on school days, aiming to reduce distractions during school hours and encourage healthier sleep habits.
Changes to Algorithms and Content
Meta will also be required to strengthen age-verification systems and limit teenagers’ exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content.
The agreement includes provisions allowing young users greater access to non-algorithmic feeds, giving them an alternative to personalized content recommendations.
Parents are also expected to receive stronger tools to monitor and manage their children’s social media activity.
New York Set to Receive Major Funding
New York could receive approximately $1.1 billion under the settlement. The funds could support programs focused on youth mental health, online safety, public awareness and efforts to address the potential harms associated with excessive social media use.
New York has already taken steps to strengthen protections for children online, and the new settlement could further reinforce those efforts.
Meta Does Not Admit Wrongdoing
Although Meta agreed to the settlement, the company did not admit wrongdoing.
Meta has maintained that protecting young users and creating safer online experiences are priorities and pointed to safety features it has already introduced for teenagers.
Critics, however, argue that limiting screen time alone will not fully address concerns surrounding social media. They say greater scrutiny is needed over how algorithms recommend content to young users and the potential long-term effects of those systems.
Potential Impact Beyond Meta
The settlement could mark a significant shift in how social media platforms operate in relation to teenagers in the United States.
The agreement is also expected to increase pressure on other major platforms to strengthen protections for young users and address concerns surrounding mental health, excessive screen time and algorithm-driven content.
Once the settlement receives the necessary court approval and is implemented, the new measures could significantly change how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram across the United States.
