Meta settles teen safety lawsuit for $18 billion, calls on TikTok and YouTube to follow

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Meta has agreed to pay $18 billion as part of a settlement with 52 attorneys general over claims that Facebook and Instagram negatively impact teen mental health.

The company has also implemented new default safeguards for teens that restrict access to core functions like Reels and Stories during certain times of the day.

Around $5.3 billion of the overall $18 billion payout is conditioned on industry rivals TikTok and YouTube adopting similar measures.

For a while now, multiple studies have attempted to demonstrate how social media apps can have a detrimental impact on teen mental health. Meta-owned platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been at the center of discussions about the negative impact on children, and that’s led to some high-profile lawsuits. Today, Meta is ending one long legal battle by announcing a settlement with 52 attorneys general.

In a statement on its blog, Meta said it will pay around $18 billion as part of the settlement to fund youth online safety initiatives, along with other state activities. It further announced a long list of teen-safety features it will bundle into Facebook and Instagram, while also making some options the default for all teens. Notably, the company has denied any wrongdoing in this major settlement.