Our Agreement With Bipartisan Attorneys General: Calling on TikTok and YouTube to Join Us in Supporting Teens

Meta has finalized an agreement with 52 bipartisan attorneys general from US states, territories, and the District of Columbia to introduce new protections for users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook. Pending judicial approval, these measures will automatically apply in participating states and territories, with most terms remaining in effect for 10 years. The agreement includes a $18 billion payment, distributed over a decade, with 70% allocated immediately to states for youth safety initiatives and the remainder contingent on specific conditions.

The settlement introduces default time limits, Night Mode restrictions, and school-hour usage controls for teens, though these features initially commit to five years unless industry peers adopt the framework. If TikTok and YouTube join, provisions would strengthen, including reducing daily app limits to one hour and expanding Night Mode hours to 10:00 PM–7:00 AM. Meta will also establish an independent research foundation to study teen well-being, sharing consented user data to advance collective understanding of online safety.

An independent auditor will annually review Meta’s compliance with the agreement for five years, ensuring adherence to the terms. The company expects to record a $10 billion legal expense in Q3 2026 related to the settlement, which was not included in prior earnings guidance. The agreement aims to set a new industry standard, but Meta emphasizes its success depends on widespread adoption across platforms, as teens frequently switch between apps.

Meta’s Chief Legal Officer, C.J. Mahoney, stated the framework empowers parents with easier controls over their children’s platform access. The company reiterated its commitment to collaborating with parents, policymakers, and regulators globally to support teen safety. The agreement includes a bipartisan coalition of 52 attorneys general from states and territories across the US.