Meta agrees to two-hour teen limits, overnight ban on Facebook, Instagram in $16.7bn settlement
By Aboki Forex —
Meta has agreed to impose a default two-hour daily limit and overnight access blackout on teen users of Facebook and Instagram, as part of a landmark settlement with U.S. state attorneys general. The deal, which could reach about $16.7 billion under terms reported by Reuters and CBS News, is subject to court approval.
Settlement details
The settlement resolves allegations that Meta deliberately designed features to encourage excessive use, misled users about the safety of its platforms, and improperly collected personal information from children under 13. The company has denied wrongdoing but agreed to the changes to end the legal battle involving numerous U.S. states and territories.
Under the agreement, teens will face a default two-hour daily limit that applies cumulatively across Facebook and Instagram. Time spent scrolling on either platform will count toward the same allowance. Access will be blocked between midnight and 6 a.m., and most push notifications will be muted during school hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays during the school year.
New safety tools and monitoring
Meta will also introduce prompts after every 15 minutes of continuous use, alongside reminders when users reach 60 and 90 minutes of daily activity. Parents will gain enhanced tools to supervise teen usage, including alerts when a teen attempts to change protective settings or links another account.
The company said the restrictions will automatically apply to users under 18 in participating U.S. states and territories, pending judicial approval. Meta will also strengthen protections against unwanted contact from suspicious adults and add measures aimed at limiting exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content.
Oversight and industry push
The settlement also calls for independent oversight of Meta's compliance with the new requirements. Meta is urging other major platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, to adopt similar protections. If competing platforms join the agreement, some restrictions could become even tougher, including shorter daily limits.
The deal marks one of the biggest attempts yet to force a major social media company to redesign how young users interact with its platforms, potentially setting a new standard for online safety across the technology industry.