The Guardian: "Meta agrees to major changes to Facebook and Instagram as it settles US trial over teen addiction for up to $18bn"

"Meta agreed to significant changes to its Instagram and Facebook apps in a settlement that ended a landmark lawsuit on Wednesday. Dozens of US states had accused the tech giant of addicting and harming children with dangerous products.

The agreement curtails a major trial in California and will require the social media company to pay up to $18bn. Meta agreed to establish safeguards for teenage users, including daily usage limits and blocks on night-time use nationwide in the US.

This is the first time in the US that Meta has been forced to change key features of the experience of everyday users.

The jury trial, which took place in federal court in Oakland, California, began with opening statements just last week. California and 28 other US states sued the $1.36tn (£1tn) company over allegations that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that hooked young people, leading to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and suicide. The states additionally claimed the social media company regularly collected data on children under the age of 13 without parental permission in violation of federal and state laws. As part of the settlement, the company denies wrongdoing."

Continue reading the article with this shared link - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/26/meta-social-media-addiction-trial-settlement 

Kids Online Safety Caucus Co-Chairs Auchincloss, Houchin on Meta, YouTube verdict

 Joint Statement from Bipartisan Kids Online Safety Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Jake Auchincloss and Erin Houchin on the Meta, YouTube Social Media Trial Verdict

 

"Today is a good day in the overdue effort to hold social media corporations accountable. Meta and YouTube tried to deny, deflect, and delay – but a jury heard the evidence and found them negligent in how they designed their apps for children.

However, Congress must be clear-eyed about the limits of litigation. Going forward, the platforms will change their terms of service language and continue to hide their exploitation of children behind bad-faith Section 230 defenses.

Lawmakers must come together in a bipartisan effort to pass a federal age assurance law that raises the age of Internet adulthood to at least 16 years old and holds apps liable for adhering to it. We have the bills, we're on the committee of jurisdiction, and we're committed to working together to make it happen."

Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Erin Houchin (R-IN)

Contact:Georgina.Burros@mail.house.gov (Auchincloss)

Parker.Armstrong@mail.house.gov (Houchin)