Meta settles social media addiction suit with states for up to $17.1 billion
Meta has agreed to a settlement of up to $17.1 billion with 47 U.S. states to resolve lawsuits alleging that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, are designed to be addictive to children. The agreement includes new child-safety measures and follows allegations of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
Why it matters
This settlement marks a major legal precedent in how social media companies are held accountable for the design and impact of their platforms on youth mental health.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, settled a landmark social media addiction lawsuit on Wednesday brought by dozens of states, according to a court filing.Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion to the states that sued and add child-safety measures to its platforms. The settlement resolves claims filed by 47 states and cuts short a trial that kicked off last week in Oakland, California. The settlement was approved later Wednesday by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, according to court documents. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey were among the 29 states that first filed suit against Meta in 2023, alleging that the technology giant used its social media platforms to "entice, engage and ultimately ensnare" young internet users.
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