Here’s what the Meta settlement means for Montana

Montana’s portion of the landmark $17.1 billion settlement from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, could vary depending on several final settlement factors. It is guaranteed to get at least $89 million and could get as much as $127 million, according to Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, whose office was part of the 47-state coalition which had brought the lawsuit.

“This settlement agreement is the culmination of years of hard work to hold Meta accountable for their dangerous and deceptive practices that put the health and well-being of Montana kids at risk,” Knudsen said in a press release. “I’m glad Meta has taken responsibility and I hope other social media companies will follow suit. This settlement money will be put to good use to improve safety and mental health resources for kids and teens in the state.”

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen testifies before the U.S. House in an impeachment hearing for Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Jan. 10, 2024 (Committee webcast).

At least half of the money must go to remediate harms caused by social media such as:

• Crisis intervention services, specifically the expansion and operation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and text-based youth crisis lines.
• After school or summer programs, such as sports, literacy, dance, and other activities.
• Public health advertising credits.
• A digital wellness public education fund.
• Funding outdoor activities.
• Youth mental health programming.
• Support the hiring of digital literacy counselors or implement phone-free school zones.
• Training for medical providers on interactive media use and body dysmorphia.
• Grants to school districts or other local government entities to accomplish any remedial purpose encompassed here.
• Any similar remedial or restitutive purposes as those described above; and
• Investigation, litigation, and related efforts to improve teen safety on social media.

Montana also resolved its claims against Meta for Meta’s sharing of nonpublic information about Facebook users with third parties, like Cambridge Analytica, leading up to the 2016 election. Montana will receive an additional $4.3 million under that settlement agreement.