California (Web Desk): Meta has agreed to impose tighter restrictions on teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram, as the company faces growing legal and regulatory pressure over the potential impact of social media on children and young users.
Under the terms of a new settlement, teenagers will generally be limited to using Facebook and Instagram for a maximum of two hours a day without additional parental approval. Parents, however, will have the option of allowing their children to spend more time on the platforms.
The agreement also includes measures aimed at reducing teenagers’ access to the platforms during late-night hours.
Their access to Facebook and Instagram will be suspended between midnight and 6am. In addition, push notifications will be turned off during school hours in an effort to minimise distractions and encourage young users to remain focused on their studies.
The latest development comes as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been facing legal action over allegations that its platforms can contribute to social media addiction among children and teenagers.
Authorities and plaintiffs have also accused the company of failing to adequately address the potential harms its products may pose to younger users.
According to media reports, Meta has reached settlements with nearly all US states over the issue. As part of the agreements, the company could be required to pay as much as $18 billion over the next decade.
The settlements also require Meta to introduce additional safeguards for teenage users and strengthen measures governing how young people access and use Facebook and Instagram.
The agreements announced on Wednesday brought an end to a federal case that had been proceeding against Meta.
The lawsuit alleged that the company’s social media products were harmful to children and teenagers and that Meta had misled the public about the safety of its platforms.
The case was part of a wider legal and public debate in the United States over the effects of social media on young people.
Concerns have increasingly focused on the amount of time children spend online, the design of social media platforms, nighttime access, notifications and the possibility of users developing unhealthy or addictive patterns of use.
The settlement represents a significant step by Meta to address some of those concerns. By introducing daily time limits, overnight restrictions and changes to notifications, the company is expected to place greater emphasis on parental control and reducing the amount of time teenagers spend on its platforms.