Time limits and a midnight cutoff: Meta’s new rules for kids go further, but critics say not enough

Kids under the age of 18 will soon experience several changes to their Instagram and Facebook usage following a historic $18 billion settlement Meta Platforms reached with 48 U.S. states, announced in Oakland, California. In addition to a substantial monetary payout, the agreement mandates Meta to enhance its age verification processes, prevent individuals under 13 from accessing the platforms, and enforce a daily two-hour time limit for users aged 18 and below.

Meta will also block users from accessing the apps between midnight and 6 a.m., and hide "like" counts. Critics and child advocates express concerns that the changes, while more extensive than any Meta has previously implemented for child safety, do not fully address the underlying issues. Former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar, who testified during the federal trial, expressed cautious optimism about the settlement but emphasized that Meta should be held accountable for the content and recommendations delivered to children.

While Meta allows users over 18 to adopt the new controls individually, such as setting daily time-limit reminders, there will be no option for them to adopt the overall settings tailored for teens. The settlement also requires Meta to strengthen its age verification technology and set specific goals for reducing false positive rates among minors.