Meta to pay up to $17 billion in youth mental health settlement
Meta will pay up to $17 billion to settle claims about social media addiction among teens, with Wisconsin receiving a portion to fund youth mental health initiatives.Summary
Meta has agreed to pay up to $17 billion to settle claims that its platforms fueled social media addiction for teenagers. Wisconsin is expected to receive between $219 million and $313 million from the fund, which will support youth mental health through initiatives like crisis intervention services and school grants. The settlement includes new restrictions for users aged 13 to 17, such as a daily time limit of two hours across Facebook and Instagram, blocking access from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., silencing notifications during school hours, and disabling like counts. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul described the settlement as historic and an inflection point. The agreement also comes after the tragic story of Brittney Bird, whose 15-year-old son, Brayden, died by suicide after becoming a victim of sextortion. Bird emphasized that the settlement is not a substitute for parental guidance but a necessary step to hold corporations accountable and protect children. Meta has encouraged TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar measures.
(Source：Wsaw)