Meta to pay $18 billion over 10 years for youth online safety initiatives under agreement with US states
META•Meta reaches agreement with US states on youth safety initiatives
Aug. 26 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms, Inc. META.O:
- Meta will pay $18 billion over 10 years for youth online safety initiatives
- Meta will accrue $10 billion legal expense in Q3 2026 for the agreement
- An independent auditor will review Meta agreement compliance for five years
- Meta urged TikTok and YouTube to join U.S. and state attorneys general in adopting new standards to ensure teens use social media in a healthy and responsible way
- Meta said guidance ranges provided in its July earnings release remain unchanged
- Meta will pay states $12.7 billion; $5.3 billion is contingent on conditions
- Meta will apply teen protections on Instagram and Facebook for 10 years
- Meta said $5.3 billion of the settlement agreement is tied to YouTube and TikTok implementing daily limits, night mode, and age assurance measures
- Meta said the $5.3 billion of the settlement agreement is also tied to YouTube and TikTok each paying an amount matching the figure
Further company coverage: META.O
