Oklahoma is expected to receive at least $235.6 million as part of a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta Platforms over allegations the company failed to adequately protect children and teens using Facebook and Instagram.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the settlement, which involves Oklahoma, 46 other states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The states alleged Meta designed Instagram with addictive features, exposed young users to potential harm and misled the public about the safety of its platforms.
“This settlement is a monumental victory for the protection of our children, and it will fundamentally transform how the social media industry designs platforms for kids and teens,” Drummond said. “This agreement holds Meta accountable and sends a clear message that protecting children online is mandatory.”
Oklahoma is guaranteed $235.6 million from the settlement. That amount could increase to about $334.1 million if other major social media companies, including Snap, YouTube and TikTok, reach similar settlements.
Meta will also be required to make several changes to Facebook and Instagram accounts used by children and teenagers.
Those changes include a two-hour daily time limit for five years, mandatory breaks after extended periods of use and restrictions on access and notifications during nighttime and school hours. Meta must also strengthen age verification, prohibit accounts for children under 13 and provide stronger parental controls.
Other provisions restrict social comparison features, including cosmetic procedure filters and visible like or reaction counts, and require stronger protections against bullying and content promoting eating disorders, suicide and self-harm.
An independent auditor and the states involved in the settlement will regularly review the implementation and effectiveness of the changes.
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said the agreement complements efforts by state lawmakers to limit children’s exposure to technology during the school day.
“Today’s settlement reinforces that same principle: children deserve reasonable guardrails around technology, and parents and educators deserve the tools to help provide them,” Hilbert said. “I commend Attorney General Drummond for holding Meta accountable and pursuing reforms that will make online platforms safer for Oklahoma’s kids.”
Drummond filed Oklahoma’s lawsuit against Meta in October 2023. The settlement also resolves claims involving Meta’s sharing of nonpublic Facebook user information with third parties, including Cambridge Analytica.
The settlement is subject to court approval.
