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

Oakland, California — Significant changes to Instagram and Facebook experiences for users under 18 are set to roll out following Meta Platforms' $18 billion settlement with 48 U.S. states, announced on Wednesday. In addition to the financial settlement, Meta has committed to improving age verification, restricting teens to age-appropriate accounts, implementing a two-hour daily usage limit for minors, and preventing app access from midnight to 6 a.m. Furthermore, Meta will hide "like" counts as part of the agreement.

While the changes represent a substantial step forward in child safety measures, critics and child advocates expressed reservations, emphasizing that the new rules are unlikely to resolve Meta's broader issues without immediate effect. Arturo Béjar, a former Meta engineering director, described the settlement as a "significant milestone," but cautioned that Instagram should not be perceived as a secure platform for children.

Béjar highlighted a potential loophole in the agreement, stating that Meta retains the ability to determine what constitutes harm, which could undermine the effectiveness of the proposed safeguards.