For Immediate Release: August 26, 2026 | Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) said that the $17 billion Meta settlement will help protect kids online, but called on Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the App Store Accountability Act to ensure that all tech platforms are held accountable.
In the settlement agreement, Meta has agreed to, among other things, limit daily use on its platforms for teens, give parents greater control over the algorithmic feed, block teens from using autoplay, and conduct annual compliance testing, in addition to paying up to $17 billion over ten years for state youth safety programs. Part of the settlement agreement is contingent on other “core industry members” like Google, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube adopting similar policies.
Today’s settlement also comes on the heels of a $400 million settlement TikTok reached with the United States Department of Justice over Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) violations.
“The Meta and TikTok settlements are positive outcomes for families and children. But these agreements are the beginning of the story, not the end. One social media platform acting alone will not solve the problem of keeping children safe online. All the tech platforms, including Google, Snap, and TikTok, must comply. Lawmakers may be tempted to view these settlements as a happy solution to the problem of passing bipartisan legislation to keep children safe online. Let me be clear: A clean and strong Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) that holds tech platforms accountable and the App Store Accountability Act must still be a priority for Congress this year,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America LAC.
“Kids will always be chasing new platforms. Long before these lawsuits were filed, teens were starting to leave Facebook for newer platforms their parents weren’t on. These settlements do not absolve Congress of the need for decisive action to protect children online. KOSA and the App Store Accountability Act need to be passed to create a social media ecosystem where kids will be protected no matter what platform they are on. If KOSA and the App Store Accountability Act do not pass, states should continue to bring similar suits against tech platforms. Tech accountability for online harms to children can and must happen.”
##
Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee is dedicated to promoting Biblical values and Constitutional principles in public policy. More information is available at www.ConcernedWomen.org.
To arrange an interview with CWA, please contact Kelly Oliver at (703) 307-9404 or [email protected].
