Meta Reaches $17 Billion Settlement with States Over Child Safety

Why it matters locally: The settlement's implications for child safety practices on Meta's platforms will directly affect the significant number of young Floridians who use these services, potentially leading to enhanced protections for minors across the state.

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OAKLAND, Calif. — Social media company Meta has reached a nearly $17 billion settlement with a group of states. The agreement addresses Meta's child safety practices across its platforms. This development in 2026 coincides with increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers globally regarding the practices of major technology companies. On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Olivia Konar displayed a banner outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland, California. The banner listed the names of young individuals, including her sister Coco Konar, who died in 2022 at age 17.