Meta Records $9.89 Billion Teen-Safety Charge in Third-Quarter Results

Meta recorded a $9.89 billion teen-safety charge in the third quarter, bringing operating income to $12.988 billion for the three months ended Sept. 30. Without the charge, operating income would have been $22.88 billion.

The previously expected legal expense was included in Meta’s $51.613 billion in costs and expenses for the quarter. It stems from an agreement with state attorneys general concerning teen mental health and social media, reached in August.

Meta reported $9.86 billion in net income for the quarter, a separate measure from operating income. The charge was recorded in the third-quarter results, while payments under the agreement are spread over 10 years.