Meta Platforms has reached a significant legal settlement to resolve claims brought by dozens of U.S. states regarding the impact of its social media platforms on youth. The agreement, which involves a payment of approximately $16.6 billion to $17.1 billion, concludes a high-profile legal battle that accused the tech giant of intentionally designing features to foster addiction among children and failing to disclose the potential harms of its platforms.

There is notable disagreement among sources regarding the exact financial figure of the settlement. Reports vary between $16.68 billion and $17.1 billion, likely due to differences in how specific damages or future commitments are calculated or reported by various state attorneys general. Additionally, sources differ on the scope of the legal action; while some reports cite 29 states involved in the federal trial, others mention broader coalitions of up to 51 states and territories involved in the overall resolution.

As part of the agreement, Meta has committed to implementing new child-safety measures across Facebook and Instagram. The settlement effectively halts an ongoing federal trial in California, which was expected to feature testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. By settling, Meta avoids the potential risks of a jury verdict while agreeing to modify platform features that critics have long argued contribute to mental health issues among younger users. The deal marks a major development in the ongoing efforts by U.S. regulators to hold Big Tech companies accountable for the design choices of their products.