Changes are on the horizon for adolescent users of social media platforms Instagram and Facebook. The parent company Meta has agreed to implement alterations to platform design for young users and pay up to $18 billion US over the next decade to address claims of online harms to youth from nearly every U.S. state and territory. This settlement, described by a coalition of U.S. attorneys general as the most extensive state consumer protection agreement in history outside of the Big Tobacco settlements of the 1990s, signals a significant shift for the social media industry, according to Canadian tech analyst Carmi Levy.
Under the new measures, users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook will experience several changes, including default time limits of two hours daily across both platforms combined, prompts and breaks after 15, 60, and 90 minutes of continuous use to disrupt constant scrolling, blackout periods restricting most usage between midnight and 6 a.m., and muted notifications during school hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, users will have more control over their feeds, the ability to opt for a non-algorithmic feed by default, the option to disable autoplaying content, and limitations on social comparison features like hiding like counts and blocking certain filters. The enforcement of stronger age verification and age-related content restrictions is also part of the changes.
Meta has committed to maintaining its current efforts to prevent strangers from contacting teen accounts, enhance reporting tools and parental controls, and further refine the new measures, such as reducing the daily time limit to one hour, if competing social platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube implement similar changes.
While the settlement primarily applies to the U.S. market, there is anticipation that these adjustments will spread globally due to widespread concerns in various countries regarding the negative impacts of social media on youth. Levy suggests that over time, Canada will likely see these modifications as well, pointing out the trend of technology companies like Meta eventually adopting changes globally after introducing them in specific regions.
The settlement represents a positive step forward in addressing some of the issues associated with teen social media use, according to Jenny Perez, founder of the parental advocacy group Unplugged Canada. However, she emphasizes that there are still numerous safety concerns for social media companies to address beyond the implemented measures. Digital media expert Richard Lachman acknowledges the benefits of interrupting endless scrolling but emphasizes the importance of independent verification of safety measures rather than relying solely on company assurances.
Luke Stark, an associate professor at Western University, believes that while the announced measures will help curb compulsive social media use among teens, the impact of addictive platform design extends to users of all ages. He views the settlement as a significant instance of Meta adjusting its design in response to legal pressure but suggests that further actions could have been taken to address broader issues within the company’s business model.
Looking ahead, thousands of U.S. state and federal lawsuits remain pending against Meta and other tech giants, prompting speculation on potential settlements and regulatory implications. Analysts suggest that Meta’s proactive approach to resolving legal challenges could influence future regulatory efforts, including the proposed online safety legislation in Canada. Despite the settlement, concerns remain about addictive algorithm design and the broader regulatory landscape in the tech industry.
In conclusion, the settlement reached by Meta underscores the company’s efforts to address social media issues affecting teens and signals a shift towards resolving regulatory challenges to focus on advancing artificial intelligence initiatives. The settlement may serve as a precedent for future regulatory developments in the tech industry, prompting companies to proactively address concerns over online safety and addictive platform design.