National PTA Ends Funding Partnership With Meta Amid Child Safety Lawsuits

The decision comes as Meta faces high-profile trials over Instagram's impact on minors

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has announced it will not renew its funding partnership with Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTEA) in 2026, citing growing legal and public scrutiny over child safety issues involving the company. The PTA had maintained a funding relationship with Meta since 2017 to support its "PTA Connected" digital safety initiative, but the organization says the situation has become "time-consuming and difficult" amid lawsuits accusing Meta of failing to protect minors on its platforms.

Why it matters

The PTA's decision to end its partnership with Meta underscores the mounting pressure the tech giant is facing over child safety concerns. As Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in a trial alleging Instagram contributed to user addiction and mental anguish, and the company defends itself against a lawsuit from New Mexico's attorney general over failing to protect minors from online predators, the PTA's move signals growing skepticism from influential organizations about Meta's ability to responsibly handle child safety on its platforms.

The details

In a February letter to members, PTA President Yvonne Johnson said the organization will not seek renewal of its funding agreement with Meta when the current deal expires on December 31, 2025. Johnson cited "heightened public scrutiny and legal cases involving companies, including Meta, regarding digital safety" as creating new challenges that have become "time-consuming and difficult" for the nonprofit.

  • The PTA and Meta had maintained a funding relationship since 2017.
  • The latest agreement between the PTA and Meta expired on December 31, 2025.

The players

Meta Platforms, Inc.

A technology conglomerate that owns social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

National PTA

The largest volunteer child advocacy association in the United States, focused on supporting and speaking on behalf of children and youth in the school, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

Yvonne Johnson

The current President of the National PTA.

Mark Zuckerberg

The co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc.

New Mexico Attorney General

The chief legal officer and law enforcement agent for the U.S. state of New Mexico, who has accused Meta of failing to adequately protect minors from online predators.

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What’s next

The judge in the case involving allegations that Instagram's design features contributed to user addiction and mental anguish will make a decision on the trial.

The takeaway

The National PTA's decision to end its funding partnership with Meta underscores the growing scrutiny and legal challenges the tech giant is facing over child safety issues on its platforms. This move signals that influential organizations are increasingly skeptical of Meta's ability to responsibly handle the impact of its products on minors.