Meta Child Safety Settlement with 48 U.S. States
Verified September 11, 2026Found via Abcnews.comHow ClaimWatch verifies cases
Closed to new claims. Browse open settlements →
Where this case stands
Payments distributed
The court approved the settlement and the administrator has reported sending payments to class members who filed valid claims.
What happened
Meta Platforms reached an $18 billion settlement with 48 U.S. states over child safety concerns related to Instagram and Facebook. The settlement requires Meta to implement new safeguards including age verification improvements, time limits, and content restrictions for users under 18. The settlement is a government enforcement action and does not create individual consumer claims—the money is paid to the states.
Do you qualify?
This is a government enforcement settlement, not a consumer class action. No individual consumer claim process exists. The settlement benefits apply to all users under 18 in the United States going forward through changes to Instagram and Facebook platform features.
How to file
This settlement does not create a consumer claim process. Individual users do not file claims for compensation. Instead, Meta has agreed to implement platform changes including a two-hour daily time limit for users under 18, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m., strengthened age verification, and other safety features. These changes will apply automatically to eligible users' accounts.
Common questions
- How much does the Meta Child Safety Settlement with 48 U.S. States pay?
- The settlement fund is $18B.Why settlement checks are smaller than the headline number →
- What is the status of the Meta Child Safety Settlement with 48 U.S. States?
- Payments distributed. The court approved the settlement and the administrator has reported sending payments to class members who filed valid claims.
- Is the Meta Child Safety Settlement with 48 U.S. States notice real, or a scam?
- Claims are filed only at abcnews.com. Filing is always free, and no administrator asks for payment or a full Social Security number by email or text.How to tell a real settlement notice from a scam →
In the news
- Meta settles social media addiction case at last minute, leaving Snap to face trialBusinessupturn.com · October 30, 2026
- Meta settles with teen during trial testing claims social media caused depression, eating disordersBiztoc.com · October 30, 2026
- Meta settles case with teen over social media addictionBiztoc.com · October 30, 2026
- Why Meta and Alphabet Don’t Care That Q3 Earnings Paints Them as LaggardsBiztoc.com · October 30, 2026
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Guides:Why is my settlement check so small?How long a settlement takes to pay outIs this settlement notice real, or a scam?
Summarised from public settlement documents; confirm terms on the official settlement website. ClaimWatch is not a law firm, and filing a claim is free.
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