LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A coalition of Arkansas organizations has proposed that the state dedicate a portion of the $172 million it expects to receive from a settlement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to fund programs benefiting children and teens.
In a statement released on Sept. 17, the group, called Fund IRL Arkansas, suggested the funds be used to support after-school programs, summer activities, youth mental health initiatives, sports, arts, outdoor pursuits, and career-focused learning opportunities. IRL stands for “in real life” and underscores the group’s focus on providing young people opportunities to build skills and relationships away from screens.
The coalition has not specified a dollar amount or percentage of the settlement it hopes to see allocated, nor has it identified specific grant recipients or announced any secured funding. However, it emphasized prioritizing rural and underserved communities, where barriers such as transportation, cost, and limited program access often prevent children from participating in extracurricular activities.
“This settlement represents an important step forward in protecting young people online, but it also gives Arkansas an extraordinary opportunity to invest in our future,” said Laveta Wills-Hale, director of the Arkansas Out of School Network, which is leading the coalition.
The coalition’s proposed priorities include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, as well as collaborative efforts to bring together youth organizations, community leaders, and other advocates to chart a unified approach to spending the settlement dollars.
The Arkansas Out of School Network and the Arkansas Environmental Education Association are coordinating the initiative through the national Fund IRL platform, according to the group’s website.
The funding opportunity emerges from a multistate settlement over claims regarding the safety of children using Meta’s platforms. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the agreement on Aug. 26, stating that Arkansas is guaranteed $172,459,936 under the proposed terms, with the potential for additional funds depending on court rulings. The state will receive the payments over the next decade.
The settlement agreement includes new protections for young social media users, such as a two-hour daily time limit on Facebook and Instagram accounts for minors, nighttime access restrictions, enhanced parental controls, and stricter age-verification requirements. Meta has denied any wrongdoing in the matter, according to reporting by Reuters.
The coalition noted that while stronger online protections are key, investments in community programs are equally critical to giving children safe and impactful spaces to grow and connect.
Griffin said in August that the settlement remains subject to final court approval.