Meta's $18bn Settlement and the UK's Under-16 Ban

What Meta agreed to pay and why

The settlement resolves claims that Meta designed its platforms to be addictive and to harm the mental health of young users. The deal requires teen safety changes, including time limits, night mode and parental consent for some safety settings. It also funds state youth online safety initiatives.

The payment is structured as up to $18 billion over a decade, with the exact amount dependent on the terms of the agreement. The attorneys general involved represent a broad coalition of US states, reflecting the scale of the investigation into Meta's practices. The company has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

The safety changes mandated by the settlement are intended to reduce the potential harms associated with prolonged use of the platforms by teenagers. These include default time limits, a night mode feature to reduce late-night use, and requirements for parental consent before certain settings can be changed. The funds allocated to state initiatives will support programmes aimed at youth online safety and digital wellbeing.

Why the settlement does not cover UK users

The settlement resolves claims brought by US state attorneys general, so it applies to the United States, not the UK. UK users are instead covered by the UK's own online safety regime, which is moving on a separate and in some respects stricter track.

The legal action was initiated by state-level officials in the US, and the resulting agreement is confined to that jurisdiction. UK users are not party to the settlement and will not receive any direct payment or benefit from it. The changes to platform features required by the settlement will be implemented for US users, but they do not automatically extend to other countries.

In the UK, the regulatory framework is different. The Online Safety Act 2023, enforced by Ofcom, places duties on platforms to protect children. The government has also announced its own measures, including a ban on social media for under-16s, which goes beyond the US settlement in scope. UK users should not expect a payment or direct change from this US settlement, as the two legal and regulatory systems operate independently.

The UK's own approach: the under-16 social media ban

On 15 June 2026 the UK government announced a ban on social media for children under 16, following a public consultation. It is modelled on Australia's approach but goes further, also restricting livestreaming and strangers contacting under-16s; messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are excluded.

The ban was announced by the government on 15 June 2026, following a public consultation on the issue. It is modelled on legislation introduced in Australia but extends further in several respects. The UK version also restricts livestreaming and prevents strangers from contacting under-16s on the affected platforms.

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are excluded from the ban, as they are considered private communication tools rather than social media platforms. The platforms expected to be covered include TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. The first regulations are due before the end of 2026, with implementation expected in spring 2027, according to GOV.UK and the House of Commons Library.

The ban is part of a broader package of measures designed to protect children online. It builds on the existing Online Safety Act and introduces age-based restrictions that go beyond current requirements. The government has stated that the ban is intended to address the risks posed by social media to young people's mental health and wellbeing.

Overnight curfews and default protections for teens

On 15 July 2026 the government announced default overnight curfews from midnight to 6am for 16 and 17-year-olds on social media apps. Features that keep users scrolling would also be switched off by default for that age group.

The government announced on 15 July 2026 that default overnight curfews would apply to 16 and 17-year-olds on social media apps. These curfews run from midnight to 6am, during which time access to the platforms would be restricted. The measure is designed to reduce late-night use and its potential impact on sleep and wellbeing.

In addition to the curfews, features that encourage prolonged use, sometimes described as addictive, would be switched off by default for this age group. This includes functions such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, which are designed to keep users engaged for longer periods. The stated aim is to avoid a cliff edge of exposure to the most addictive features when a young person turns 16, according to GOV.UK.

The curfews and default protections apply to 16 and 17-year-olds, who are above the age of the under-16 ban but still considered vulnerable to the harms of excessive social media use. The measures are part of the government's wider strategy to create a safer online environment for young people.

The Online Safety Act and Ofcom's role

The wider UK framework is the Online Safety Act 2023, enforced by Ofcom, which places duties on platforms to protect children. Ofcom's codes require stronger age checks and safety measures, and the under-16 ban builds on this framework.

The Online Safety Act 2023 is the primary legislation governing online safety in the UK. It places legal duties on platforms to protect users, with particular emphasis on children. Ofcom is the regulator responsible for enforcing the Act and has published codes of practice that set out specific requirements for platforms.

Ofcom's codes require platforms to implement stronger age checks and safety measures to prevent children from accessing harmful content. These include measures to verify users' ages and to restrict access to inappropriate material. The under-16 ban announced by the government builds on this framework, adding further restrictions on social media use for young people.

The Act and Ofcom's enforcement role are central to the UK's approach to online safety. The framework is designed to be flexible, allowing for new measures such as the under-16 ban to be introduced as evidence of harm emerges. The government and Ofcom continue to work together to implement and enforce these rules.

What UK parents can do now

Parents can already use built-in parental controls and family settings on the main platforms, and age checks are being tightened. Official guidance is available, and the rules will change further as the ban and regulations take effect.

Parents in the UK currently have access to built-in parental controls and family settings on the main social media platforms. These tools allow parents to restrict content, set time limits and monitor their children's activity. Age checks are also being tightened across platforms, in line with Ofcom's requirements under the Online Safety Act.

Official guidance is available from GOV.UK and Ofcom, providing information on how to use these controls and what protections are in place. The guidance is informational and does not constitute advice on specific products or services. Parents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the tools available on the platforms their children use.

The rules will change further as the under-16 ban and associated regulations take effect. The first regulations are due before the end of 2026, with implementation expected in spring 2027. Until then, parents can rely on existing controls and the protections already in place under the Online Safety Act.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Meta paying in the settlement?

Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion over 10 years to settle claims brought by 52 US state attorneys general, announced on 26 August 2026.

Does the Meta settlement apply in the UK?

No. The settlement resolves claims by US state attorneys general and applies to the United States. UK users are covered by the UK's own online safety rules instead.

Is the UK banning social media for under-16s?

Yes. The government announced a ban on social media for children under 16 on 15 June 2026, modelled on Australia's approach but going further, expected in force by spring 2027.

Which apps will the UK under-16 ban cover?

The platforms expected to be covered include TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are excluded.

What protections apply to 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK?

From July 2026 the UK set default overnight curfews from midnight to 6am for 16 and 17-year-olds, and some addictive features are switched off by default for that age group.