Meta agrees to pay 18,000 million to resolve the trial on the damage that social networks do to adolescents

Meta has reached an agreement with a group of attorneys general of the United States to avoid continuing with the trial for the addictive design of social networks, for which it agrees to pay close to 18,000 million dollars (about 15,400 million euros) and to incorporate default measures that protect adolescents that become a standard for the industry.

The technology company has reached a settlement this Wednesday with 52 attorneys general from all over the United States when it faces the second week of the trial on the addictive design of its social networks, Facebook and Instagram, in which the role that mechanics such as unlimited browsing of publications, notifications and content recommendations have on the well-being of adolescents.

As explained in a statement, the agreement refers to the implementation of security measures aimed at users under 18 years of age, which includes strict controls on the time adolescents spend on social networks that cannot be deactivated, predetermined blocks at night and muted notifications during school hours.

It also contemplates the payment of some 18,000 million euros, which will be distributed in annual installments over a period of ten years. Of that amount, 70 percent will be given to participating states to promote youth safety initiatives.

The remaining 30 percent will be linked to the participation of YouTube and TikTok in the implementation of security measures that limit the usage time of minors and the contribution of an amount equivalent to that figure by both companies.

This is a figure notably lower than the 1.4 billion dollars that at the beginning of the trial it was estimated that the attorneys general could claim from Meta and that even then he described as “far-fetched” and unprecedented. However, the agreement needs the judge’s approval.