Meta is set to pay up to $18 billion to settle a huge wave of lawsuits claiming its apps harmed children and teenagers. The settlement comes after dozens of states accused the company of designing features that keep young users hooked and ignoring warnings about mental health risks. As part of the agreement, Meta will introduce new limits for teens, including a two‑hour daily cap, nighttime blocks, stronger age checks, and more tools for parents. The company says these changes will roll out within months. The settlement is one of the largest ever involving social media and youth safety. State officials say the new rules are meant to reduce addiction‑like behavior and protect kids from harmful content. The deal also forces Meta to change how its apps operate for younger users, making it harder for teens to bypass restrictions or hide usage. More updates are expected as the agreement moves toward final approval.