A coalition of Iowa organizations, including United Way Muscatine County, is urging state leaders to invest money recovered through a social media settlement into programs and services that support youth mental health, prevent harm and create more opportunities for young people to connect in their communities.
The newly formed Fund IRL Iowa coalition is calling for Iowa’s $126 million share of the settlement with Meta to be directed toward prevention, mental health services and community-based programs that help young people build healthy relationships, develop resilience and thrive.
The coalition brings together organizations involved in mentoring, afterschool programs, recreation, education, youth development and pediatric health. Its members believe settlement funds intended to address harm to young people should directly benefit the children and families affected.
Coalition partners include:
- United Way Muscatine County
- Southeast Iowa Early Childhood
- First Steps Management, LLC
- Iowa Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
- Iowa Alliance of YMCAs
- Iowa MENTOR
- Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Iowa Afterschool Alliance
- Iowa ACEs 360
- Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation
- Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates in Iowa
The coalition points to research showing the growing role social media plays in young people’s lives, along with gaps in education and access to positive in-person activities. According to Pew Research Center data cited in the coalition’s research, one in five teens say they use TikTok or YouTube almost constantly. Nearly half of U.S. teens also report learning to use social media through trial and error, while only 18% received formal instruction from a school or community organization.
Fund IRL Iowa says positive relationships, play and a sense of belonging are important to healthy development. Afterschool programs, summer learning, mentoring, youth sports, arts, outdoor recreation and other community activities can give young people opportunities to build confidence, explore interests and develop connections with caring adults and peers.
The coalition also emphasizes the importance of making these opportunities accessible to families in rural and underserved communities, where transportation, program availability and cost can create barriers.
Mental health is another major focus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40% of high school students reported feeling sad and hopeless in 2023. The coalition also cites data showing that while 20% of adolescents have received mental health treatment, another 20% say they need mental health care but cannot access it.
As Iowa leaders consider how to distribute the settlement funds, Fund IRL Iowa is advocating for three priorities:
- Prevention and mental health: Strengthen youth mental health services and programs that build resilience, supportive relationships and healthy development.
- Real-life opportunities: Expand access to afterschool and summer programs, mentoring, sports, arts, recreation and outdoor learning.
- Equity, transparency and accountability: Prioritize communities with the greatest needs, involve young people and community organizations in decisions, and establish clear expectations for how funds are spent and what outcomes they achieve.
The coalition is also calling for young people, families, educators, community organizations and health professionals to have a meaningful voice in determining how the money is used.
“Iowa has a chance to do something lasting with these resources. We want to work with state leaders to make sure settlement funds reach young people and strengthen the communities around them. The measure of success should be the opportunities we create, the connections we strengthen and the difference we make in kids’ lives,” said Yesenia Cruz, state coordinator of the Fund IRL Iowa Coalition.
Fund IRL Iowa is part of the national Fund IRL coalition, led by Children’s Funding Project. The national effort brings together organizations focused on youth development, mental health, education, mentoring, sports and the arts to advocate for responsible investment of money recovered through social media litigation.
More information about the coalition and its efforts is available at Fund IRL.
