Regulation2026-08-26

Meta settled a lawsuit from 29 US state attorneys general for about $18 billion and agreed to new default restrictions for US users under 18, including a two-hour daily cap across Facebook and Instagram, an overnight block, muted notifications during school hours, and an option for a feed that is not ranked by algorithm. Direct messaging in Messenger and WhatsApp is excluded. The measures apply only in the United States, and Meta is pressing app stores to supply verified age information.

What changed

Teen accounts on Facebook and Instagram had optional usage prompts rather than default limits.

What it unlocks

Planning youth-facing social campaigns around default overnight and school-hour restrictions on Meta apps in the US.

  • $18B settlement
  • 29 state attorneys general
  • 2-hour daily teen limit
  • 1.8% teen uptake of Take a Break

What you need to act on it

  • applies only to US users under 18

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