COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta that will require the company to implement new safety measures aimed at protecting children and teenagers on Instagram and Facebook.
Ohio is expected to receive more than $319 million over the next decade under the proposed agreement.
The settlement resolves allegations that Meta designed its platforms to keep young users engaged, knowingly exposed children and teens to mental health risks and misled the public about the safety of its platforms. The agreement also addresses allegations that Meta violated federal law by collecting data from children under 13.
Under the settlement, Meta would be required to implement several changes on Instagram and Facebook, including a combined two-hour daily limit for children, mandatory breaks after 15, 60 and 90 minutes of use and nighttime restrictions from midnight to 6 a.m.
The company would also eliminate weekday push notifications between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the school year and strengthen measures used to verify users’ ages.
Additional requirements include stronger controls on content involving bullying, eating disorders, suicide and self-harm, as well as improved parental controls.
Meta would also be required to disable certain social comparison features for young users, including beauty filters and visible “like” counts.
The settlement’s safety measures and their effectiveness would be reviewed regularly by an independent auditor and participating states.
Wilson said the agreement represents a significant step toward changing how social media platforms are designed for children and teens.
Nearly all state attorneys general have signed onto the proposed settlement, which still requires court approval.
Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by AVC News
