Meta has reached a nearly $17 billion settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general, agreeing to implement youth usage restrictions and age verification measures. Mike Moore, who previously defeated tobacco giants, called this "the first step."

Meta this week agreed to pay nearly $17 billion in a landmark settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general to resolve allegations of misleading the public about the harms of its platforms to children's mental health. The settlement terms include setting daily usage limits and nighttime blackouts for teenagers, strengthening age verification measures to prevent underage use, and creating more tools for parents and guardians. An independent auditor will monitor Meta's compliance with the settlement terms for five years.

Mike Moore, former Mississippi Attorney General who helped negotiate the 1998 $246 billion tobacco settlement, commented publicly for the first time on the matter, stating it was "the first step in protecting children from the dangers of social media." He is leveraging his experience to assist state attorneys general in developing a potential comprehensive settlement with the social media industry and believes there is an opportunity for future settlements involving a broader range of companies and more impactful remedies, including the establishment of a permanent national public education fund.