Teens on Instagram & Facebook get 11 new protections under Meta deal
Meta agreed to an eighteen billion dollar settlement with fifty-two attorneys general. The company will implement major protective overhauls for under-eighteen users across its platforms. These changes include time limits and automatic night mode for minors. Automatic screen-time alerts and hidden like counts will also be introduced. Enhanced age assurance systems and content guardrails will…
A federal settlement between Meta and 52 US state and territory attorneys general will bring 11 new protections to teens using Instagram and Facebook. The deal, worth roughly $18 billion, was reached following a trial in Oakland, California, examining the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's company has committed to implementing these safeguards over the next decade, with funds distributed to support youth online safety programs and state initiatives.
Key features include a default daily screen time limit of two hours, an automatic "Night Mode" restricting access between midnight and 6 AM, and a "School Mode" that silences notifications during school hours. Teens will also have the option to set a non-algorithmic feed, turn off video autoplay, and hide like and reaction counts.
The platform will prohibit extreme cosmetic filters and use enhanced AI models to identify under-13 accounts, placing 13-17 year olds in protected experiences. Additionally, teen profiles will default to private mode, block suspicious contact from adults, and restrict minor profiles from appearing in search results. Despite these restrictions, direct messaging will remain accessible outside of Night Mode and School Mode, allowing teens to stay connected with family and friends.
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