Teens Weigh In on Tennessee's Meta Settlement
More than 100 Chattanooga-area teenagers shared their views on how the state should spend part of a nearly $752 million Meta settlement.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Teens
Live Poll
Should Tennessee use Meta settlement money to protect kids online?
Chattanooga-area teenagers gave input on how Tennessee should spend nearly $752 million from a settlement involving Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The settlement funds are expected to support Tennessee's Children's Digital Protection Fund.
Why it matters
The lawsuit accused Meta of designing social media features that negatively affect children's mental health. Organizers hope the feedback will help state leaders decide how the money should be used to address children's online safety and well-being.
The poll drew more than 100 Chattanooga-area teenagers, measured against a nearly $752 million Meta settlement that Tennessee is preparing to spend. How the funds will be allocated, and what the poll results revealed, has not yet been reported.
The players
Meta
Meta is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and it reached the settlement that is generating nearly $752 million for Tennessee.
The details
Participants answered questions through an interactive poll held Thursday evening covering their time online, social media's effect on their mental health, and the resources they want in their communities. Organizers gathered this teen feedback to inform state leaders as they decide how to spend the settlement money.
Timeline
Thursday evening (November 5, 2026): Teenagers took part in the interactive poll on settlement spending in Chattanooga.
Roadmap
The settlement money is expected to support Tennessee's Children's Digital Protection Fund, placing this teen poll within the state's broader effort to address children's online safety. It reflects a growing push to direct money from tech-company lawsuits toward youth well-being programs.
Teens and families across Tennessee may see the settlement money directed toward youth programs and resources if state leaders act on the feedback. The poll results give residents a sense of what young people say they need around online life.
The takeaway
Young people's own experiences with social media can help shape how public money is spent to protect them online. Families can start conversations with teens about how much time they spend online and how it affects their well-being.
Further reading
Explore more on Teens to see how young people are affected by the online world around them.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 12 Now.
Live Poll
Should Tennessee use Meta settlement money to protect kids online?
