Meta Agrees to $17 Billion Settlement Over Teen Social Media Harms

Meta has agreed to a settlement of up to $17 billion over 10 years to resolve lawsuits alleging harm to teen users on its social media platforms.

The agreement, reached with more than 40 states, the District of Columbia, and multiple territories, includes product changes for users aged 13 to 17. These changes, which Meta will begin rolling out within six months, include a default two-hour time limit on apps, blocking app access between midnight and 6 a.m., and muting notifications during school hours.

Likes will be hidden, cosmetic filters disabled, and users will have the option to control video autoplay and choose a non-algorithmic feed. Stricter age verification requirements to identify teens who have lied about their age are expected within a year. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated the settlement is the highest amount ever paid in a case of this nature and can help prevent and remediate mental health harms for children.

Meta generated $201 billion in revenue last year. The company is developing a new prediction model to identify users under 13 or between 13 and 17 by analyzing connections, followers, and interactions. Age verification without facial recognition presents a challenge, prompting discussions between Meta and app store owners Apple and Google regarding responsibility. Meta has also been testing age-gating technology in Australia to comply with laws restricting social media for those under 16.