Meta's $18B Settlement Withholds $5.3B Unless YouTube and TikTok Match Teen-Safety Rules

Meta's $18 billion settlement with 29 U.S. states over children's safety includes a contingent provision: 30% ($5.3 billion) is only payable if YouTube and TikTok adopt equivalent teen-safety commitments. Meta published an open letter urging both rivals to implement daily time limits, nighttime access blocks, and school-hours notification suppression. Without their participation, Meta pays $12.7 billion.