Meta settles U.S. states' teen addiction claims for up to $18 billion

Meta has agreed to settle claims from U.S. states that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep young users hooked, in a deal worth up to about $18 billion. The agreement would also impose new teen-safety rules, including a two-hour daily limit, overnight use blocks, stronger parental controls, age checks, and muted notifications during school hours. The settlement, if finalized, would end a major legal fight over the platforms’ impact on children and teenagers and could set a precedent for how social media companies manage teen use.