Meta books $9.89 billion child safety charge in Q3
Meta's third-quarter report shows total costs of $51.61 billion including the settlement, while revenue rose 26 percent to $64.60 billion.
Meta recorded a $9.89 billion charge tied to a child safety settlement in its third-quarter 2026 earnings report, the company disclosed on October 21, 2026. According to The Verge, income from operations would have been $22.89 billion without that charge.
Total costs and expenses for the quarter came to $51.61 billion, a figure that includes the settlement amount. Revenue for the quarter was $64.60 billion, up 26 percent year over year.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the quarter hit major milestones toward delivering personal superintelligence for everyone.
Settlement context
The charge follows an agreement reached in August 2026, when Meta said it would pay $17.1 billion to settle a nationwide lawsuit claiming its platforms were addictive by design for children. Under that arrangement, Meta will only pay $5.3 billion of the amount if YouTube and TikTok implement stricter child safeguards.
Quick answers
How much did Meta set aside for the child safety settlement in Q3 2026?
Meta recorded $9.89 billion of the settlement in the quarter, according to its third-quarter earnings report.
What was Meta's revenue in the third quarter of 2026?
Meta reported $64.60 billion in revenue, up 26 percent year over year.