Meta settles social media addiction case with California, other states for $16.7 billion

Key Points Meta and a coalition of state attorneys general have settled a major federal case centering on allegations that the social media giant misrepresented the extent of child-related mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram. The case, brought by a group of 29 states, was co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the AGs from Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky. As part of the settlement, Meta agreed to pay a maximum of $16.7 billion.