OAN isOhio’s state coordinator of the Fund IRL Coalition working to assemble partners statewide who are dedicated to supporting youth mental health and out-of-school-time programs that are proven to foster a sense of belonging so kids can explore and learn In Real Life!

OAN is proud to join with youth development organizations in our state to advocate for social media settlements to be invested in programs and services that help youth have real life alternatives to endless scrolling, safe digital engagement, and mental health services. We welcome the landmark multi-state settlement with Meta as an important step toward addressing the harm youth and teens experience through social media and an opportunity to invest in the safe, enriching environments young people need beyond the school day.

Meta's settlement with 47 states will direct $456 million to Ohio alone over 10 years to address the mental health harms linked to social media use among young people. That gives Ohio a real opportunity, and responsibility, to increase our investment in youth mental health and help navigate a world where technology is part of everyday life. Crucially, 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. 

But being named in the settlement doesn't guarantee funding. The settlement text gave each attorney general (AG) broad discretion. The funds can go toward "any lawful purpose," and the named uses are examples only. In Ohio the authority sits with the AG directly. Fund IRL and OAN are urging leaders to put young people at the center of these decisions. Now is the time for advocates 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. The call to action is clear: advocates must push 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.

As state coordinator, OAN and our partners are urging state officials to seize this unique opportunity to expand access to critical afterschool and summer learning programs that we know support young people’s mental and emotional well-being. 

Check this page periodically as OAN will be sharing updates as they develop.