New Hampshire announced a multistate settlement with Meta Platforms over Facebook and Instagram youth safety. The state will receive up to $224,344,141 from the $17.1 billion agreement, according to the New Hampshire Governor's Office in its settlement announcement. Gov.
Kelly Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella announced the deal on Aug. 26, 2026. A multistate settlement means state attorneys general resolve shared legal claims together, with each state receiving its own share.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Attorneygeneral — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official notice from Thedartmouth — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- How much will New Hampshire receive?
- What did the lawsuit accuse Meta of doing?
- Who benefits and where will the money go?
- What must change on Facebook and Instagram?
How much will New Hampshire receive?
New Hampshire's share is to be paid in ten equal installments over ten years. The resolution involves 47 other states plus Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. The $224 million and $17.1 billion figures are ceilings paid over a decade, not lump sums already delivered. The deal is pending judicial approval through a consent judgment, according to reporting from The Dartmouth in its settlement coverage.
What did the lawsuit accuse Meta of doing?
The settlement resolves claims that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram with addictive features. State officials also alleged knowing exposure of young users to serious mental harms and misleading statements about platform safety.
The underlying litigation began Oct. 24, 2023, when a bipartisan coalition of more than 33 attorneys general sued Meta. The coalition alleged purposeful addiction design, false assurances of safety, and collection of under-13 data in violation of consumer-protection laws and COPPA, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice in its case filing statement.
Who benefits and where will the money go?
The affected group is New Hampshire youth and families. The state Department of Justice said it plans to spend the money on youth mental-health programs, education and helping parents manage children's interaction with tech platforms.
The packet describes state-directed spending, not an individual claim form or household payment schedule. For readers watching for compensation, the practical effect is funding for youth services rather than a check to file for now.
What must change on Facebook and Instagram?
Meta must implement sweeping child protections on Instagram and Facebook, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in its settlement terms summary. The measures focus on limiting use, verifying age, reducing bullying and self-harm risks, expanding parental controls and restricting beauty filters. State officials described the protections as including:.
- combined two-hour daily limit for children
- pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use and at 60 and 90 minutes
- midnight-to-6 a.m. block
- school-time limits
- age assurance, bullying and self-harm controls, parental controls and beauty-filter limits
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