Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJane DaltonThursday 27 August 2026 03:03 BSTMeta to pay up to $17 billion and dramatically change Instagram and Facebook to settle huge US court caseMeta has agreed to pay up to $17bn (£12.5bn) to settle a US lawsuit after 29 states accused the company of harming young people’s wellbeing.The deal introduces daily limits, nighttime blocks and hidden likes for US users on Instagram and Facebook, without Meta admitting wrongdoing.UK child-safety campaigners, including the Molly Rose Foundation, have urged the UK government to take similar decisive action against social media companies.Campaigners argued the US settlement demonstrates that tech giants can be held to account over harmful and addictive platform features.The UK government stated it is following developments closely while preparing to introduce a social media ban for under-16s next year.In fullBurnham urged to reign in Big Tech over child harm after Meta’s £12bn bombshell settlementMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in