Meta nears $17 billion teen harm settlement: Facebook and Instagram changes could follow

Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, may now be moving toward a broad settlement of teen harm lawsuits worth up to $17 billion. The figure comes from a proposed deal put forward by a coalition of U.S. attorneys general, and it would rank among the biggest social media settlements so far.

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According to that proposal, the attorneys general say Meta knowingly used engagement-focused design on Facebook and Instagram to keep teenagers hooked. The plaintiffs link heavy use, infinite scroll, and algorithmic recommendations to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, reduced physical activity, and other mental health risks.

The deal wouldn’t just involve a payout. It would also bring tougher teen safety measures and product changes for minors, at a moment when Pew Research Center data show that most teens use social media every day and many are online almost constantly. Similar pressure is building through cases brought by school districts, families, and users, as well as rules such as the EU Digital Services Act and the U.K. Online Safety Act.

If you follow platform accountability, this is one to watch. U.S. regulators’ final terms will draw close scrutiny because, if the deal is approved, it could become a landmark in how governments push social platforms to change their products, not just write a check.

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