Wisconsin will receive up to $313 million from a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram. The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced the agreement on August 26, 2026, in its settlement announcement to resolve youth-harm claims and require child-safety reforms. A multistate settlement is an agreement negotiated by state attorneys general that resolves similar claims for many states at once. Here, 47 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands said Meta built addictive Instagram features, exposed youth to mental harms, and misled the public about safety.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Wisdoj — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official notice from Eyeondunn — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- Why did states bring the case?
- How much will Wisconsin actually receive?
- What safety rules will Meta add?
- Can you file a claim for payment?
Why did states bring the case?
States alleged that Instagram features encouraged compulsive use by young people and increased exposure to harmful content. They also alleged that Meta knew about internal risks to youth mental health and misled the public about safety.
The agreement settles those claims without a trial. It pairs money with platform-wide changes on Facebook and Instagram rather than cash payments tied to individual accounts.
How much will Wisconsin actually receive?
Wisconsin is guaranteed $219 million, with the full $313 million available only if later industry conditions are met. WTAQ and WLUK reporting via WIXX explains in its breakdown of Wisconsin's share that the larger amount depends on TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat.
Nationally, Meta must pay over 10 years. Insurance Journal reports in its national payment summary that about $12.19 billion is firm, with the full $17.1 billion due only if other platforms adopt similar safety terms and payouts.
What safety rules will Meta add?
Meta must limit children to a combined two hours per day on its apps, with pauses after 15, 60 and 90 minutes. It must block use from midnight to 6 a.m. and stop school-day push notifications from 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Meta must also strengthen age verification and age-appropriate content controls. Other required steps include hidden like counts, stronger parental controls, and removal of cosmetic-surgery and beauty filters for users ages 13 to 17.
Can you file a claim for payment?
The materials describe money paid to Wisconsin and spent by the state, not checks to individual Facebook or Instagram users. At least 50% of Wisconsin's payout must fund youth mental health and social-media harms, with spending under the sole discretion of Attorney General Josh Kaul, according to Wisconsin Public Radio reporting via Eye on Dunn in its spending plan summary. Eligible state uses Kaul identified include: The settlement still requires court approval before funds move and programs begin.
- youth mental-health programming
- 988 crisis-line expansion
- phone-free school zones
- after-school programs
You Might Also Like
- South Carolina receives nearly $247 million from Meta settlement
- Tennessee Receives Payout From Meta Child Safety Settlement
- Texas receives $15.8 billion from tobacco industry settlement