Multi-State Meta Settlement Secures Millions and New Child Safety Controls
- South Dakota will receive a minimum settlement of $52.6 million from Meta Platforms Inc.
- According to Attorney General Marty Jackley, the South Dakota payout is structured to be distributed over the next decade.
- Alongside financial penalties, the agreement mandates strict injunctive relief and operational changes across Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, aimed at users under the age of 18, according...
South Dakota will receive a minimum settlement of $52.6 million from Meta Platforms Inc. under the terms of a multi-state agreement announced on August 26, 2026, according to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. State officials stated that the litigation targeted Meta for allegedly designing Instagram with addictive features, knowingly exposing young users to severe mental health harms, and misleading the public regarding platform safety.
Settlement Payout and Court Approval
According to Attorney General Marty Jackley, the South Dakota payout is structured to be distributed over the next decade. The total financial award for the state could increase to $73.5 million if specific conditions outlined in the agreement are fulfilled. The monetary and structural agreement is not yet final. District Court for the Northern District of California, which oversees the coordinated multi-state litigation. State officials indicated that the South Dakota Legislature will organize and allocate the incoming settlement funds. Jackley expressed a preference that the legislature dedicate the resources toward enhancing online safety initiatives for children, following a previous state settlement with Roblox announced on July 13, 2026.
Mandatory Platform Changes for Meta Platforms
Alongside financial penalties, the agreement mandates strict injunctive relief and operational changes across Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, aimed at users under the age of 18, according to the state press release. The required structural modifications comprise several distinct safeguards:
- A daily time limit of two hours for minor users, featuring productive pauses at 15, 60, and 90 minutes designed to interrupt continuous scrolling. These limits are mandated to remain in effect for five years unless unrelated competing social media platforms adopt similar terms.
- Nighttime access restrictions that block minor users from accessing platforms between midnight and 6 a.m.
- Limited access during school hours that removes push notifications on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the academic year.
- Enhanced age assurance protocols to verify the age of young users more effectively.
- Algorithm restrictions designed to prevent the promotion of content related to bullying, eating disorders, or self-harm.
- Strengthened parental control settings.
- Restrictions on social comparison features, such as like counts and beauty filters. Compliance with these measures will be regularly evaluated by an independent auditor alongside representatives from the settling states.