Montana Secures $127 Million from Meta Settlement on Teen Safety

Montana stands to receive up to $127 million from a $17 billion multistate settlement with Meta over teen safety on social media.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen secured this settlement following a lawsuit revealing Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children and concealed related research. The agreement imposes new safety rules on these platforms, marking a structural shift in how social media companies must address youth mental health risks.

Meta is required to implement features such as daily time limits with enforced pauses, a Night Mode restricting app access from midnight to 6 a.m., and elimination of push notifications during school hours. Montana is guaranteed nearly $89 million, with the potential to reach $127 million if YouTube and TikTok adopt similar restrictions. These funds are earmarked for mental health and safety programs targeting youth. This settlement follows investigations launched in 2021 and a lawsuit filed in 2023, culminating in the August 26, 2026 announcement.

Meta is required to implement these safety features as part of the agreement, while the release of the remaining settlement funds depends on other platforms’ compliance.

Montana’s experience could potentially inform other states with similar concerns, including those in rural regions where digital engagement influences youth culture. Businesses and policymakers might observe how these new rules influence social media usage patterns and mental health trends, which could have broader effects on workforce development and community well-being in the state.

Montana to Receive Up to $127 Million in Landmark Settlement that Forces New Safety Rules on Facebook, Instagram
By Zoë Buhrmaster, Flathead Beacon