Tennessee will receive $751,922,691.13 from a multistate settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced the payment on Aug.
26, 2026. The payment is part of a $17.1 billion multistate agreement over Instagram and Facebook, according to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office in its August announcement. Tennessee's net recovery is directed to the state's new Children's Digital Protection Fund, which supports children's mental health and safety.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Tn — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the original report from Wvlt — Use this primary source to review the complete report.
Table of Contents
- Why is Meta paying Tennessee?
- Can families file a claim for payment?
- How much will Tennessee actually get?
- What protections must Meta add for teens?
Why is Meta paying Tennessee?
The states alleged Meta designed Instagram with addictive features. They also alleged the company knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms. The states further alleged Meta misled the public about platform safety.
The case covers Instagram and Facebook use by young people. The settlement ended Tennessee's trial against Meta before Davidson County Chancellor Russell T. Perkins, according to WVLT and WSMV reporting in their settlement coverage. The trial was nearing conclusion when the deal was reached.
Can families file a claim for payment?
The settlement does not create a consumer claim form for Tennessee residents. No application, deadline, or per-person award was announced for the public. Tennessee's net recovery goes to the Children's Digital Protection Fund.
That fund is for protecting and restoring children's mental health and safety. So families should not expect a direct check from this payment. The benefit is state-level spending on youth protection, research, treatment, and enforcement.
How much will Tennessee actually get?
The headline amount is $751,922,691.13, but the fund will receive less after fees and contingencies. Only about $517 million is guaranteed. That guaranteed share is paid in $51.7 million annual installments over 10 years, according to Chalkbeat Tennessee in its breakdown of the payout.
The long schedule limits how fast the state can spend the money. The Tennessee General Assembly created the fund in 2026. It will decide in its 2027 session how to spend the money on youth mental health, research, treatment, and enforcement.
What protections must Meta add for teens?
Meta must add youth protections on Instagram and Facebook. The measures include daily time limits and stronger age verification. The rules also block minors' use from midnight to 6 a.m.
They add school-hours limits and expanded parental controls. Parents can use those controls to set boundaries around nighttime and school-time use. Time limits give families a clearer tool for reducing long late-night sessions.
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