EU pressures Meta to implement child safety measures following landmark US settlement
The European Union on Thursday called on Meta to implement child protection measures on its platforms in Europe, following the company's agreement to a landmark $16.7 billion settlement with 29 US states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram harm young users.
The settlement, disclosed Wednesday after a trial that began on August 18 in Oakland federal court before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, will be paid in 10 annual installments. California will receive between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion, while New York will receive up to $1.13 billion over the decade. Meta has indicated it expects to accrue approximately $10 billion in legal expenses related to the agreement in the third quarter of 2026.
European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said Brussels has had new exchanges with Meta since the US settlement and is following developments closely. The EU in July found Meta to be in breach of its Digital Services Act, identifying problematic features including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommender systems.
"The ball is in Meta's court. Meta knows what we are expecting from them. Now it is for the company to offer these commitments in the European Union to protect our kids here too."
The commission's formal investigation into Meta began in May 2024. Its preliminary findings, issued on July 10, 2026, concluded that the company's addictive design features breach the DSA. Meta serves 270 million users across the EU, with nearly half of European children having an Instagram account by age 12, below the platform's own minimum age requirement of 13.
Regnier noted the commission is investigating Meta for the same concerns raised in the US case and expects commitments that provide equal protection for European children.
"We expect proper screen time management. We expect proper parental control on these platforms."
Should Meta fail to address the EU's concerns, the commission can impose fines of up to six percent of the company's total worldwide annual turnover. Based on Meta's 2025 revenue of $200.97 billion, such a penalty could reach approximately $12 billion.
US settlement details
Under the US agreement, Meta committed to sweeping restrictions on teen use of its platforms, including an automatic nighttime block and a cap of two hours of cumulative daily use across Meta's apps. Compliance will be monitored for 10 years by an independent auditor chosen jointly by Meta and the states and funded by the company.
The changes represent the most extensive safeguards Meta has accepted to date, following years of criticism from parents and experts about the effects of social media on children. Meta also separately agreed to pay New Mexico $567 million in August 2026 as part of a public nuisance case centered on child safety allegations.
Meta has stated it disagrees with the EU's findings but would engage constructively on the matter. The commission issued a similar warning to TikTok in February regarding child safety risks.
Potential EU restrictions
The European Union has been considering restrictions on social media access for young people, with several member states pushing to follow Australia's example. Australia became the first country to formally implement a social media ban for users under 16 on December 10, 2025, following parliamentary passage of the law in November 2024. Platforms face fines of up to $50 million for non-compliance with the Australian ban.
An expert panel convened by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported back last month with recommendations including no screens for babies and toddlers, and allowing children up to age 12 only age-appropriate social media under adult supervision. For those aged 13 to 18, the panel advised gradually increasing autonomous use of platforms that have introduced key safety features.
Von der Leyen is expected to outline proposed restrictions in a keynote speech on September 16, with a legal proposal anticipated later this year.
"This is not about whether children can access social media. It is about whether and when social media can access our children."
She emphasized that tech firms must prove their services cause no harm.
