Meta has agreed to pay up to $17 billion to settle a legal dispute with US states over alleged harms to children on its platforms. As part of the settlement, the company will implement significant changes to Facebook and Instagram, including a default two-hour daily usage limit for teenage users, according to livemint.com.
The settlement follows a landmark legal battle that accused Meta of failing to protect children from harmful content and practices on its social media platforms. In response, Meta plans to introduce stricter age verification processes and enhanced teen safety rules. These measures aim to reduce excessive screen time and exposure to potentially damaging material for younger users, the report said.
This development marks one of the largest settlements addressing social media's impact on youth mental health and safety. Meta's move aligns with growing regulatory scrutiny worldwide over tech companies' responsibilities toward minors. Comparable actions in the sector include increased age checks and content moderation efforts by other major platforms to mitigate risks to children.
Meta's changes will take effect following the settlement's finalization, with the company expected to roll out the new safety features across Facebook and Instagram. The $17 billion settlement represents one of the most substantial legal resolutions in the tech industry's history, highlighting the escalating focus on protecting young users online.