How much does the Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement pay?

The total settlement fund is $18B. Actual amounts depend on how many valid claims are filed — most settlements divide a fixed fund pro rata, so a higher claim rate means a smaller individual check. An "up to" figure is a cap, not a guarantee.

Is the Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement notice real, or a scam?

Claims are filed at today.com. Filing a class action claim is always free — no legitimate settlement charges you to claim, and no administrator will ask for payment, a gift card, or your full Social Security number by email or text. If a notice asks for any of those, it is not from the administrator. When in doubt, ignore the link you were sent and go to the official settlement website directly.

When will payments from the Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement be sent?

Class action payouts typically take 12 to 24 months after the claim deadline, and longer if the settlement is appealed. Payments cannot be issued until the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

Major public-enforcement settlement — no direct consumer claimprivacy

Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement

Last verified September 4, 2026Source: news-signal:TODAYHow ClaimWatch verifies cases

This settlement is closed to new claims. You can still see what it was about and follow the case in court below. Looking for money you can still claim? Browse open settlements →

What happened

Meta (Facebook and Instagram) agreed to pay up to $18 billion in a settlement of a social media addiction case brought by 29 states. The settlement addresses concerns about the company's platforms' impact on child and teen safety.

Do you qualify?

This is a government enforcement settlement reached by 29 states; it does not create a direct consumer class action claim process or individual consumer payouts.

How to file

This is a government enforcement settlement, not a consumer class action. The $18 billion will be paid to the 29 states that brought the action. Individual consumers cannot file a claim for direct compensation from this settlement.

Common questions

How much does the Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement pay?: The total settlement fund is $18B. Actual amounts depend on how many valid claims are filed — most settlements divide a fixed fund pro rata, so a higher claim rate means a smaller individual check. An "up to" figure is a cap, not a guarantee.
Is the Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement notice real, or a scam?: Claims are filed at today.com. Filing a class action claim is always free — no legitimate settlement charges you to claim, and no administrator will ask for payment, a gift card, or your full Social Security number by email or text. If a notice asks for any of those, it is not from the administrator. When in doubt, ignore the link you were sent and go to the official settlement website directly.
When will payments from the Meta $18 Billion Child Safety Settlement be sent?: Class action payouts typically take 12 to 24 months after the claim deadline, and longer if the settlement is appealed. Payments cannot be issued until the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

In the news

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This summary was generated from public settlement documents and may contain errors. Confirm eligibility, deadlines, and payment terms on the official settlement website before filing. ClaimWatch is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Filing a claim is free.

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