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Meta has reached a settlement with several US states to resolve issues regarding the safety of children and teenagers on Facebook and Instagram. Here is a look at the settlement amount and the changes that will follow.

Meta has long faced scrutiny regarding the safety of children and teenagers on social media. Several US states had initiated legal action against the company over the presence of underage users on Facebook and Instagram, alleging that its platforms were failing to take adequate measures to protect children.

Now, to resolve this dispute, Meta has entered into a major settlement with multiple US states. Additionally, usage of Facebook and Instagram by children and teenagers will be restricted. Under this agreement, the company must implement significant changes to verify children's ages and limit their social media usage. Let us explore how Meta plans to determine children's ages and the costs involved.

How will Meta determine children's ages?

Meta is required to strengthen its age-verification systems to identify users under the age of 18; however, the agreement does not mandate that the company require every user to provide a photo ID or video selfie to prove their age. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying children under the age of 13. Meta will also be able to examine the friend networks of accounts suspected of belonging to underage users, and the process for reporting accounts belonging to children will be made easier for users. An independent auditor will monitor and review Meta's age-verification processes.

Identifying children using AI

Under the agreement, Meta is permitted to temporarily use certain data to develop AI models capable of identifying users under the age of 13 in the future. The company already employs similar technology to identify accounts suspected of belonging to teenagers.

How much will Meta pay?

Varying figures have emerged regarding the settlement amount. Meta has stated the total payment to be around $18 billion, whereas the California Attorney General estimates that states could receive up to $17 billion. Foreign media reports have cited the maximum settlement amount at approximately $16.68 billion. Meta has indicated that a legal expense of about $10 billion will be recorded in 2026 for this settlement. Payments under the agreement will be made in annual installments over 10 years.

What will change for Facebook and Instagram?

There will be a combined default daily time limit of two hours for Facebook and Instagram users under the age of 18; parental permission will be required to remove this limit. Notifications will be blocked between midnight and 6:00 AM under "Night Mode."

Additionally, notifications will be muted by default from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Users will also receive reminders to take breaks during continuous usage. Other changes will include options to hide like counts, restrictions on certain beauty filters, and the ability to choose a non-algorithmic feed.