Mississippi unveils plan to spend $189M Meta settlement

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has filed a consent decree in Hinds Chancery Court outlining a plan to distribute $189 million from a national settlement with Meta. The funds, which are part of a broader multi-state legal action against Meta regarding the impact of its social media platforms on children, will be distributed in annual installments of approximately $18.8 million over the next decade starting in January 2027.

The proposed plan allocates funds to three state agencies. Specifically, $6.8 million per year is designated for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. The total settlement amount for Mississippi could potentially increase to $270 million if other technology companies involved in the litigation, such as TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, also reach settlements with state attorneys general.

While the settlement addresses allegations that Meta’s platforms acted as “addiction machines” targeting vulnerable youth, Meta has denied all allegations of liability and wrongdoing.