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العربية Fund In Real Life Idaho
Fund IRL Idaho is a coalition working to ensure any payouts from current social media lawsuits help fund programs and services that promote youth well-being and healthy development.
What is "In real life"
“In real life” (IRL) opportunities are ones where young people build skills, make friends, and grow. IRL is a powerful antidote to the harms of digital media.
Fund IRL Idaho is a member of the national Fund IRL movement. This coalition, led by ION, is advocating to fund high-quality out of school time (OST) programs that promote IRL activities that support youth mental health and well-being with any settlement payouts from current technology lawsuits.
What this means
Idaho is involved in social media litigation that could end in money coming to the state. If social media lawsuits result in financial settlements, those funds could represent a significant opportunity to invest in what young people need most.
History shows settlement funds do not automatically reach youth-serving programs without intentional planning.
The Fund IRL coalition is working to ensure these resources are directed with clear guardrails, transparency, and accountability so that they reach those most impacted by the harms of social media – young people – and are prioritized to support their well-being.
Why this matters
Young people are seeking real-world connection, belonging, and engaging experiences. Afterschool, summer, service, mentoring, outdoors, sports, arts, and mental health programs provide the kinds of environments where young people can grow and experience joy. In these spaces, they build relationships, develop skills, and feel confident and supported as they find their footing in the world.
If settlement funds become available, they should be invested in programs and services that provide real-world connection, mentorship, and opportunity to support youth well-being.
The Need
After-school, summer, and other youth development programs—activities proven to keep kids safe and promote connection and well-being—are stretched thin nationwide, leaving millions of young people without access. At the same time, community- and school-based mental health services are in high demand and require deeper investment to ensure all young people can access the services they need.
The Solution
Social media lawsuits could yield once-in-a-generation funding for programs and services that research shows improve youth well-being and prevent harm. With this type of funding windfall, communities could expand their after-school and summer programs; mentoring and mental health services; arts, outdoor, and sports experiences; library enrichment; service opportunities; and other programs. And more young people could access the real life experiences they need to thrive.
The Opportunity
Across the country, states, communities, school districts, and families are suing social media companies for knowingly designing their platforms to keep young people hooked—prioritizing profits even as evidence mounted that these designs were harming youth mental health and safety. Like earlier lawsuits against tobacco and opioid companies, these cases could lead to major settlements or other payouts meant to repair harm and invest in solutions for young people.
The Action
We’re working toward a future where every young person has access to these programs and services—where money intended to address social media harms is invested directly in opportunities that help kids feel supported, confident, and connected. Simply taking phones away isn’t enough; it’s about giving young people more ways to grow, explore, and thrive. Together, we can turn social media accountability into meaningful investments in youth.
