How the Meta Settlement Can Benefit Afterschool Programs

Source: www.pexels.com

This blog by Dan Gilbert has been reposted from Afterschool Alliance’s Afterschool Snack Blog.

Meta's new settlement with 47 states will direct up to $17.1 billion over 10 years toward addressing the mental health harms linked to social media use among young people. Critically, this landmark settlement explicitly names "after school or summer programs, such as sports, literacy, dance, and other activities" as a recommended use of the funds.

As a core member of the Fund IRL Coalition, the Afterschool Alliance is proud to stand with partners around the country to urge state officials to seize this unique opportunity to expand access to critical afterschool and summer learning programs that we know help support young people’s mental and emotional well-being. Now, the call to action is clear: advocates must push states to use settlement money to fund these essential programs, providing compelling, engaging alternatives to screens for young people and ensuring they can access the real-life experiences they need to thrive.



Our own America After 3PM data show that parents look to afterschool programs to keep young people engaged, off screens, and supported holistically. More than 5 in 6 parents agree that afterschool programs provide opportunities for young people to spend more time on fun and educational activities and less time on screens (86%) and time to interact with peers and develop social skills (85%), while 79% agree that programs support children’s mental health and well-being. Among parents who have a child in an afterschool program, agreement is even higher. Unfortunately, while the parents of 29.6 million children want an afterschool program for their kids, only 7 million are enrolled. 

This means 22.6 million young people in this country are not in an afterschool program because it is either unavailable or unaffordable. These settlement dollars could go a long way in addressing that.



But being named in the settlement doesn't guarantee funding. The settlement text gives each attorney general (AG) broad discretion. The funds can go toward "any lawful purpose," and the named uses are examples only. In some states that authority sits with the AG directly, while in others the legislature controls the final spending decisions. Now is the time for advocates around the country to make the case that settlement funds should go toward programs that help remediate the mental health challenges our young people face, rather than landing in states’ general funds.



Some officials are already pointing in the right direction. North Carolina's AG has recommended funding after-school and summer school programs, crisis helplines, and school health personnel, and attorneys general from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Delaware have all specifically stated that some of their settlement dollars will go toward after-school and summer learning programs. But most states haven't decided, and the settlement itself only provides recommendations, not guarantees. 

Through our work with the Fund IRL Coalition, we are coordinating with advocates around the country to make their case directly to their attorneys general and legislators before budgets are finalized. The settlement made clear that afterschool programs are an important mental health support for young people. Now it's up to us to turn that argument into real funding that helps more young people access the programs and mental health supports that they and their families so clearly want.

MORE ABOUT...

Dan Gilbert

Dan Gilbert joined the Afterschool Alliance in 2014. As Director of Whole Child Initiatives, Dan directs the Alliance’s work around social and emotional development, trauma informed care, youth mental and emotional wellbeing, noncognitive skill development, and physical health. He also works to advance the Alliance’s outreach and messaging efforts, coordinates activities and collaborative efforts with partner organizations, and plans and implements projects including performing research and writing and disseminating reports for stakeholders at the national, state, and local level. Dan has experience working for Massachusetts state government, European Parliament, and political campaigns, and most recently worked at the Alliance for Excellent Education’s Center for Digital Learning & Policy. 

The Afterschool Alliance works to expand support for quality afterschool programs. They work with agencies, elected officials, business, 50 state afterschool networks, community leaders, and program providers across the nation to ensure that all youth have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs by engaging public will to increase public and private investment in afterschool program initiatives at the national, state, and local levels.

Afterschool Snack is a blog sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance featuring important news updates and stories written by their staff and afterschool practitioners. 

UPCOMING WEBINAR: Integrating Trauma- Informed Principles into Afterschool Programs

Friday, November 20, 2026, from 10am-12pm PST

Many of the children we serve in afterschool programs have experienced individual or collective trauma. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over two-thirds of children report experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16, at least 1 in 7 children experience abuse or neglect annually in the U.S. each day, 14 youth die from homicide, and more than 1,300 are treated for violence-related injuries. When trauma goes unaddressed, it creates barriers to trust, collaboration, and growth.

Expanded learning programs are well positioned to support students impacted by trauma because they provide safe spaces, opportunities for students to explore their talents and build new skills, help to increase school engagement, provide academic support, cultivate social and emotional development, and much more. Programs can also leverage the investment already made into their basic infrastructure by enhancing services with the integration of trauma-resilient informed practices.

Specifically, this session will answer:

1. What is trauma? What impacts does it have?

2. How can afterschool programs help traumatized youth?

3. What needs might these youth experience in an afterschool setting?

4. What supportive practices can afterschool programs use?

To learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/integrating-trauma-informed-care-principles-into-afterschool-programs-tickets-2004139066899?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true