Home / Crime and Justice / Meta Pays Billions for Teen Safety Overhaul
Meta Pays Billions for Teen Safety Overhaul
27 Aug
Summary
- Meta will pay over $16 billion to 29 states to fund youth online safety initiatives.
- New platform changes aim to restrict teen usage, including time limits and 'school mode'.
- Funds will support crisis intervention, mental health programs, and digital literacy.
Meta has reached a substantial settlement agreement, committing over $16 billion to resolve claims concerning child safety on its social media platforms. This significant payout, expected to reach $18 billion in total, will be distributed to attorneys general across 29 states over a decade.
The funds are earmarked for youth online safety initiatives, including crisis intervention services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, after-school programs, and youth mental health support. States may also use the money for digital literacy counselors and training for medical providers on issues like body dysmorphia.
As part of the settlement, Meta will enact several new restrictions for users under 18. These changes, pending court approval, include a default two-hour daily time limit, a 'night mode' to block features from midnight to 6 a.m., and a 'school mode' to mute notifications during school hours. The visibility of likes and reactions will also be hidden by default, and extreme makeup filters will be blocked alongside existing cosmetic surgery filter restrictions.
Meta's Chief Legal Officer expressed pride in the agreement, urging other social media companies to adopt similar protective measures. State officials highlighted the settlement's potential to make social media safer for children and their families.
