Iowa to Receive Over $135 Million in ‘Landmark’ Facebook, Instagram Settlement

Iowa is due to receive over $135 million as part of a "landmark" settlement with Meta over child safety measures.

The settlement was announced by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird this week. In totality, Meta will cough up $17 billion and add child safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms following a trial over teen social media addiction. The money will be dispersed across 47 states, who filed claims against the biggest social media company in the world.

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Inside the Massive Meta Settlement:

The settlement is one of the biggest in history when it comes to consumer protection history. Iowa is set to receive its share of $135 million in ten installments. In addition to the trial over teen social media addiction, Meta settled claims regarding the company's sharing private Facebook user information with third parties, per KCRG. Iowa will receive about $9 million from that specifically:

After today’s win, Iowa children will be safer online. Our victory is a win for kids and for the families that love them. And this is just the beginning in my fight against Big Tech to ensure Iowa children are protected - Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, per KCRG

How Facebook and Instagram Will Change for Teens:

As part of the settlement, Meta will adopt a series of safety features when it comes to children using their platforms. For one, there will be a two-hour combined time limit across both Facebook and Instagram, including mandatory pauses after 15, 60, and 90 minutes of use to prevent "endless" or "doom-scrolling." There will also be no push notifications during weekday school hours as well as restricted access between midnight and 6am.

These changes will radically alter how young teens, many of whom know no life without social media, interact with two of the most popular websites in existence. For more details on the settlement, Iowa's portion of it, and the changes Meta will soon adopt, visit KCRG's website.