Meta agreed to major changes after US states accused its platforms of harming children. The settlement could require the company to pay up to $17 billion. It will also introduce new safeguards for teenage users across the US.
Meta will add teen time limits and other safeguards after states accused it of harming children.
As per reports from The Guardian, the agreement requires Meta to establish additional protections for teenagers. These measures include daily usage limits across its social media platforms. Meta will also introduce blocks during nighttime hours.
The challenges follow a major lawsuit brought by California and 28 other states. The states accused Meta of designing products that could become addictive. They also alleged the company harmed children through its platform.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the settlement in a statement. He said the agreement would make social media safer for children. He also said Meta would make major changes within months.
The new measures reportedly go beyond limits on daily usage. Meta will stop notifications during school hours under the agreement. The company will also block its apps during critical overnight hours.
The settlement also includes restrictions involving appearance-related features. Plastic surgery filters will reportedly be banned under the agreement. These changes are intended to reduce potential risks for younger users.
Meta has denied the allegations throughout the legal proceedings. The company previously described the states’ financial demands as excessive. It also defended its existing safety measures for young users.
The case centred on allegations involving Facebook and Instagram. States claimed the company deliberately designed features that encouraged prolonged use. They also accused the company of collecting data from children under 13.
The federal trial began in Oakland, California, earlier in August. The settlement was announced before the case could reach a final jury verdict. Meta will deny wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
The company also faces thousands of similar lawsuits across the US. Families, school districts and attorneys general have filed separate cases. Some of those cases have already resulted in significant losses for Meta.
Meta was previously ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to New Mexico. That case involved allegations concerning child sexual exploitation on its platforms. Another trial found Meta liable for designing addictive products.
The latest settlement could therefore mark a major shift for Meta. The changes could influence how social media companies approach child safety.
