Meta has reached a landmark settlement with over 40 states and the District of Columbia, agreeing to pay up to $17 billion over the next decade. This settlement is the largest of its kind and will enforce substantial changes to its platforms for users aged 13-17.
Key changes include a two-hour default limit on app usage, restrictions on access during late night hours, and muted notifications during school hours. Additionally, features such as likes will be hidden, cosmetic filters disabled, and users will have the option to control autoplay of videos and choose a non-algorithmic feed.
Meta plans to implement many of these changes within six months, while stricter age verification measures will take up to a year to develop. The company is also exploring new methods to identify users' ages without facial recognition technology, which poses significant challenges.
Despite this settlement, some state officials, like Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, express dissatisfaction, arguing that the changes should be permanent rather than temporary.
While Meta claims that teens contribute less than 1% of its revenue, the new restrictions could drive them to platforms like TikTok and YouTube, potentially affecting Meta's long-term advertising revenue as these users mature. The situation highlights the ongoing debate about child safety on social media and Meta's evolving role in addressing these concerns