Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the distribution plan for the state’s share of a settlement with Meta during a press conference on September 14 at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. The settlement, totaling $17.1 billion nationwide, stems from claims that Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive to youth and provided misleading safety information. Iowa joined the lawsuit in April 2023.

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At a recent symposium in Washington, D.C., on September 10, panelists discussed the potential uses for the Meta settlement funds, including investing in school mental health programs. Upon returning to Iowa, I spoke with local mental health professionals who were unaware of how much funding the state would receive or how it would be utilized.

Attorney General Bird's announcement revealed that Iowa would receive $126 million. Settlement documents suggest that the funds can be used for various lawful purposes, including:

- Expansion of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and text-based crisis services

- After-school and summer programs, including sports and literacy initiatives

- Public health advertising credits

- Digital wellness education

- Youth mental health programming

- Hiring digital literacy counselors or implementing phone-free zones

- Training for providers on media use and related issues

- Grants for school districts to support the mentioned initiatives

- Measures to improve teen safety on social media

The distribution plan specifies that a portion of the funds will be allocated to eligible Iowa teens (up to $100 each), technology and digital safety, and legal expenses. A notable $49 million will go to the state’s general fund, with only $10 million available for grants to schools and organizations.

On September 15, I reached out to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office with questions regarding the decision-making process behind the fund allocation, the use of evidence-based research, and the reasoning for directing funds to the general fund instead of youth mental health services.

With significant amounts redirected elsewhere, I question if Iowa missed an opportunity to significantly invest in children’s mental health services. Increased funding for school counselors or enhanced programming for youth mental health could have substantial benefits.