Meta to Pay $17 Billion in Child Safety Lawsuit Settlement

California Attorney General Rob Bonta addressed reporters after the start of the Meta trial, which tackled a lawsuit brought by US states regarding social media addiction. The event occurred on August 18, 2026, at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Oakland, California.

Meta and the states involved have reached a proposed settlement to resolve a landmark federal child safety lawsuit. This resolution was announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

States such as California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey were part of a larger group accusing Meta of designing its apps, Facebook and Instagram, to be addictive for children. They claim Meta was aware of the risks but kept this information hidden.

Allegations also include violations of state consumer protection laws and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data from children under 13. Meta claims these accusations are false, maintaining that its policy restricts children under 13 from using its platforms. However, some minors circumvent this by providing false birth dates.

The settlement requires Meta to pay $17 billion to the states over 10 years. It also mandates significant changes to its platforms to improve safety for minors.

“Today, we have secured a settlement with Meta that will make social media less dangerous for our kids,” Bonta stated.

Meta will introduce default controls such as a two-hour limit for users under 18, a nighttime block between midnight and 6 a.m., and notification blocks during school hours. Changes include banning cosmetic surgery image filters and numbers of “likes” for minors.

An option for a “non-personalized feed” will be available, avoiding algorithm-driven content targeting minors. An independent auditor will have extensive information access, communication rights with attorneys general, and enforceable obligations through injunctions.

“I am proud to deliver this settlement that addresses concerns at the core of our lawsuit…” Bonta wrote.

The trial began last week and was expected to last until early October. The settlement occurred during the second week of proceedings.

Testimony from Meta insiders, including whistleblower Arturo Béjar, highlighted company culture focusing heavily on user numbers. Evidence showed young users faced harmful experiences more frequently than publicly acknowledged.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri was questioned regarding the effectiveness of features aimed at limiting teen usage. The “Take a Break” feature, meant to encourage breaks from the app, was critiqued for minimal uptake by teens.

The proposed settlement awaits approval from Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This case mirrors past lawsuits against tobacco companies, leading to major settlements and operational changes.

The settlement resolves claims involving 51 attorneys general according to the California Attorney General’s Office.