Meta To Pay Up To $16.7 BN In Landmark Child Safety Case
Social media giant Meta has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion to resolve a court case related to child safety on Facebook and Instagram. The settlement resolves claims brought by 29 US states and requires Meta to introduce certain rules for teenage users on its platforms. Meta will introduce daily usage limits, restrict nighttime usage by children on its platforms, and impose measures to prevent children from accessing age-restricted content. The states suing Meta alleged that the company designed its platforms to ensnare children, misled consumers about their safety, and improperly collected children's personal data. The claims were part of a wider case brought by multiple states alleging that Meta and other social media companies fueled a nationwide youth mental health crisis. The California-based social media giant, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, has denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. In an official statement, Meta noted that the agreement builds on its “longstanding efforts to empower parents and support teens.” Meta also stated that the agreement includes a payment of “approximately $18 billion to fund youth online safety initiatives, among other state priorities.”




