In the News: Meta Reaches $18 Billion Settlement Over Teen Social Media
September 1, 2026
What you need to know:
Meta reached an $18 billion settlement with several states who were suing the company for design features they claimed were addictive and harmful to children and teens, as well as collecting data without consent. Terms of the settlement include several design changes Meta will agree to implement and Meta also agreed to offer more funding if their top competitors (TikTok and YouTube) also agreed to the changes.
Our gut reactions:
The settlement is exciting and symbolic, but it could go much further.
Withholding funds unless their competitors follow shows that Meta is putting its competitive edge above wellbeing.
A lot more design improvements could be made with their algorithms and AI tools.
It doesn’t seem like that much money for them, especially when it’s spread across 48 states over 10 years.
The features they are adding are good, but not great; People will still be experiencing the harms that brought about the lawsuit.
Content filters don’t do too much.
We don’t trust them to put their best technology forward. They don’t seem intrinsically motivated to help youth and are doing the bare minimum.
Meta should take it into their own hands to promote digital literacy and implement it directly into their platforms.
We would have liked to see changes to Instagram that make it more private than performative for teens, such as Reels and posts not being visible to everyone.
We think it’s headed in the…
Right direction
Wrong direction
Too soon to tell
What to look out for:
Age verification systems are likely to be bypassed by many young people.
Parents also need more education and support around what to look out for and how to support their kids.
Will the other platforms follow suit?
Will the funds actually trickle down to youth mental health and digital literacy programs as intended?
References
Additional Tools and Insights 📚
Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health in a Digital World: Learn insights and strategies for protecting your wellbeing while staying connected.
GoodforMEdia Guides and Tools: Explore a list of resources created by youth to help their peers and adult allies navigate the positive and negative aspects of social media.