Meta to roll out new child-safety features on Instagram and Facebook after $18bn settlement
Following an $18 billion settlement in the US, Meta will introduce new safety features for young users on Instagram and Facebook, including a nighttime rest mode and a two-hour usage limit. The changes aim to give minors a safer experience on the platforms.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is preparing to introduce a set of new features aimed at protecting children and teenagers who use its platforms. The move follows an $18 billion settlement reached by the company in the United States.
New features
Among the key changes is a nighttime curfew mode, which will restrict minors' access to the platforms during certain overnight hours. Meta will also introduce a two-hour daily usage limit designed to curb excessive screen time among younger users.
Context
The rollout applies to users in the US and is directly tied to the settlement mentioned above. The changes reflect growing pressure on major technology companies to create a safer digital environment for children, amid ongoing debate over the impact of social media on young people's mental health and wellbeing.
It has not yet been specified exactly when the new features will become available to all users, but they are described as part of a broader Meta strategy to respond to regulatory and public demands for greater accountability regarding minors' safety on its platforms.
