Frankfort, Ky. – In a move that protects families and upholds parental authority, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said the Commonwealth will receive $358 million from Meta’s $17 billion settlement that resolves a landmark case alleging the company’s platforms addict teenagers. The funds will be used to mitigate the damage done to an entire generation, but Coleman emphasized that the real victory lies in the safety reforms Meta has agreed to implement.
State‑level reforms that empower parents
Under the settlement, Meta will eliminate push notifications during school hours, introduce age‑appropriate content controls to curb bullying and harmful material, and enforce a nighttime block that restricts access from midnight to 6 a.m. Coleman called the phone “one of the most dangerous items in your home” for families with children, noting that the new rules will stop the so‑called “doom scrolling” and give kids a chance to sleep.
“It’s the bucket of reform to the platform. It is stopping the doom scrolling, limiting that to 120 minutes, interrupting the doom scrolling. It is allowing our kids to sleep at night,” Coleman said.
Meta urges industry‑wide adoption
Meta’s chief legal officer praised the agreement, urging other platforms – including TikTok and YouTube – to adopt the same framework. “We call on our industry peers to implement this new framework, right away,” the officer said, adding that a unified approach is essential because teenagers move fluidly across dozens of apps.
The settlement’s provisions align with Kentucky’s longstanding commitment to parental‑rights and child safety. By giving parents clear tools to manage screen time, the state reinforces the principle that families, not corporations, should decide how technology fits into the home.
How the settlement money will be used
Attorney General Coleman explained that the $358 million will be directed toward programs that address mental‑health impacts of social‑media addiction, including counseling services in schools, educational campaigns for parents, and research into healthier digital habits. The allocation reflects a proactive, faith‑based approach to caring for the well‑being of Kentucky’s youth.
“We are grateful for the resources that will help our children heal and thrive,” Coleman said. “Our goal is to restore the sanctity of the home and protect the next generation from the harms of unchecked technology.”
What this means for Kentucky families
Parents can expect new settings in Facebook and Instagram that make it easier to set daily limits, block notifications during class, and enforce a night‑mode that automatically disables access during sleeping hours. Schools and community groups are being encouraged to educate families about these tools and to promote responsible digital citizenship.
With the settlement’s reforms now in place, Kentucky joins a growing list of states taking a stand against the predatory design of social‑media platforms. The move underscores the Trump administration’s broader push for stronger parental‑rights legislation and a renewed focus on protecting children from harmful digital content.
Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.
