Meta Settles $18B Teen Safety Lawsuit

Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle a landmark lawsuit brought by a coalition of state attorneys general, marking the largest settlement in the company's history and a significant moment in the legal battle over social media's impact on youth mental health. The deal, announced on August 26, 2026, resolves claims that Meta deliberately engineered Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children, ignoring harms like anxiety, depression, and suicide to protect its profits. The settlement, which requires judicial approval, commits Meta to sweeping changes for teen users of its platforms.