Meta settles in US states lawsuit on teen user addiction

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay as much as $16.7 billion (roughly €14.3 billion) and to impose new limits on how teenagers use its social media sites as part of a lawsuit in California brought by a number of US states .

The proposal was filed in federal court on Wednesday and seeks to resolve claims from a coalition of 47 US states in total.

As well as the financial damages, it foresees Meta introducing various limitations and changes designed to improve child safety and discourage or prevent overuse and social media activity overnight or during school hours.

"Meta has agreed to make massive transformations that will reduce the risk of harm from its platforms — and will do it within months," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement as the settlement was announced.

He called the agreement "real change, real transparency, and real enforceable protections for children."

The filing states that the agreement does not amount to any admission of liability or wrongdoing from Meta, which had consistently denied the allegations.

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, however, argued that Meta had intentionally put young people's health at risk and that the changes helped to stop this.

"For years, Meta intentionally deceived the public about the addictive and harmful design features that have wreaked havoc on youth mental health," Jones said, arguing that the settlement "will put an end to these dangerous practices and deliver meaningful relief that will protect children from online harm."