01
Protect well-being
Prevent and address harms while strengthening connection and resilience.
AELA + Fund IRL
Fund real life
for Alabama.
Social media companies are being held accountable for harm to young people. Alabama should invest the dollars recovered in what helps children reconnect, belong, and thrive—in real life.
Why IRL Matters
For young people, in-person connections with the people and programs that support their well-being offer an antidote to the harms of social media.Fund IRL
$117.1MAlabama's announced settlement with Meta, with 100% of the state payment going to Alabama.
$12.2MAlabama's Roblox settlement, designated for school resource officers through the Safe School Initiative.
The moment
Accountability should become opportunity.
The national Fund IRL initiative is working to ensure payouts from social media lawsuits support programs and services that promote youth well-being and healthy development.
Taking phones away is not enough. Young people need safe places, trusted adults, meaningful friendships, movement, creativity, support, and chances to lead.
Five guardrails
How the funds should be used
02
Invest broadly
Support community, school, and clinical settings across the continuum of need.
03
Follow evidence
Use research, Alabama data, and clear measures of youth outcomes.
04
Share power
Give youth, families, practitioners, and communities a formal role.
05
Guarantee access
Remove cost, transportation, and geographic barriers for underserved youth.
What Fund IRL looks like
Invest in a full youth well-being strategy.
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Real-life opportunities
- Afterschool and summer learning
- Mentoring and youth leadership
- Arts, sports, libraries, nature, and recreation
- Career exploration and service
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Safe digital engagement
- Digital citizenship and media literacy
- Tools for parents and caregivers
- Cyberbullying prevention
- Youth-led policy and education
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Mental health supports
- Early screening and referral
- Training for youth-serving professionals
- Peer and community-based supports
- Crisis response and treatment
A proposed approach for Alabama
Alabama Children Offline Opportunity Fund
We recommend that Alabama consider a protected, transparent statewide fund guided by youth and community input, clear quality standards, public accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Protect
Dedicate the dollars
Keep settlement funds focused on repairing harm and expanding youth well-being—not filling unrelated budget gaps.
Partner
Seek statewide input
A strong process would seek input from young people, families, schools, providers, mental health leaders, rural communities, and policymakers.
Invest
Reach every region
We propose transparent grants, public reporting, quality standards, and outcome measures to help turn dollars into access.
Learn more
Resources for action
- Fund IRL national initiative
- Guidance on the use of social media lawsuit funds
- Alabama Attorney General: Meta settlement announcement
- Alabama Attorney General: Roblox settlement announcement
Settlement figures and status reflect official announcements available September 2026. Final allocations remain subject to state decisions and applicable legal terms.
Help Alabama choose children.
Stay connected, share your community's needs, and help shape a lasting investment in real-world opportunity for Alabama's young people.
Working together
Partners
Organizations helping Alabama young people connect, belong, and thrive in real life.
