Meta’s $18bn settlement may hasten reckoning for social media on child safety

Meta reached an unexpected $18 billion settlement in a lawsuit involving 29 states, marking a shift in the social media landscape. The case, rooted in the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), centered on Meta's collection and use of data from children under 13. While Meta has long claimed a commitment to child safety, internal memos revealed a history of paying fines rather than implementing changes.

Whistleblowers accused Meta of knowing about harmful content involving children but doing nothing to address it. The trial produced a $1.4 trillion worst-case scenario, though a more realistic figure was $18 billion. The settlement forces Meta to implement safety measures, including a default two-hour daily limit, muted notifications at specific times, and hidden likes on teen platforms.

These changes aim to protect children, but Meta's global rivals might need to follow suit due to mounting public backlash. The effectiveness of these new measures remains to be seen, as the social media industry undergoes a potential reckoning in 2026.