Meta’s $18B Deal Sets New Rules for Kids’ Safety on Social Media

Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to a coalition of 52 state attorneys general, covering the United States and its territories. The deal settles accusations from 47 states and still needs a judge’s approval. The attorney from Tennessee, Jonathan Skrmetti, said the pact sends a clear signal to other tech giants that they must watch closely.

Under the terms, Facebook and Instagram must redesign how teens interact with the platforms. Users under 18 will face daily time caps, bans on late‑night usage, stricter age verification, and more tools for parents to limit content. The aim is to strip away the design tricks that push mental‑health warnings and keep kids hooked.

The money will be handed out over ten years, with $12.7 billion going straight to the states that signed on. Another $5.3 billion is tied to TikTok and YouTube adopting similar safety steps and matching the payments. An independent auditor will watch Meta’s progress and can publicly flag any lingering risks, giving the states a path to enforce the agreement.

Skrmetti called the settlement a warning bell for any company that still designs exploitative features for children. He praised the bipartisan effort and said the next legal wave will likely hit firms that have not yet settled. Meta said the pact builds on its existing teen‑safety work and urged TikTok, YouTube and others to follow suit.