Meta has agreed to pay $18 billion to settle a lawsuit with US states over allegations that its social media platforms harm children.[382529][355404] The deal, which was announced on August 26, 2026, includes provisions for further protections to be implemented by the company.[382529] The lawsuit, which accused Meta of making children addicted to its platforms, was highly publicized and marked a significant milestone in the company's efforts to address these concerns.[355404] The settlement is the latest move by Meta to address concerns over the impact of its social media platforms on children's mental health and wellbeing.[382529]