Will Meta’s deal make social media safe for kids? Researchers are dubious
Nature, Published online: 28 August 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02733-9 Nature talks to specialists about the changes coming to Facebook and Instagram, and whether there’s evidence they will help.
Meta, the social media conglomerate, has reached a deal to pay up to US$18 billion to US states and implement changes to its Facebook and Instagram platforms in an effort to settle a legal dispute over whether its technology negatively impacts the mental health of children and adolescents. However, researchers express skepticism about the effectiveness of these modifications in safeguarding young users.
The settlement's financial implications may be influenced by local taxes, which are determined at the time of purchase (doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-02733-9). This news has been condensed for brevity and clarity. Sun, X. et al. JAMA Pediatr. 180, 212–214 (2026).
Written by urgent.news from Nature's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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