Meta settlement opens new front in global fight over social media harm
Meta's move to restrict teenagers' use of social media in the U.S. shows companies have tools to better protect young people online, Australian officials said on Thursday, as the country grapples with patchy enforcement of restrictions at home.
Meta's decision to limit teenagers' use of social media in the United States marks a new front in the global battle over the potential harms of social media, according to Australian officials. The settlement reached between Meta and nearly all U.S. states, worth up to $18 billion, signifies that technology companies possess the means to enhance online safety for young users.
This development comes as Australia grapples with inconsistent enforcement of restrictions domestically. The $18 billion settlement sets a precedent in a worldwide effort to safeguard children from social media addiction and harmful content. Governments globally are also striving to regulate access to potentially harmful online content, including a world-first ban in Australia last year that prohibits social media use for children under 16 years old.
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