Meta Agrees to Comprehensive Changes on Instagram and Facebook for Teens
Following a major lawsuit filed in the United States, Meta has agreed to introduce daily usage limits and nighttime restrictions on the Instagram and Facebook apps to enhance the safety of young users.
Meta has agreed to make comprehensive changes on Instagram and Facebook as part of a landmark lawsuit alleging it designed products that addict youth, approving multi-billion-dollar payments and default safety measures for teens.
Meta Lawsuit and Settlement
California and 28 other states had filed a lawsuit accusing Meta of designing products that deliberately addict young users and lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Although denying the allegations, the company ended the major trial in California through the settlement reached and agreed to payments of up to $18 billion.
Safety Measures for Teens
Under the new settlement, Meta agreed to introduce measures imposing daily usage limits and nighttime access restrictions for young users across the United States.
The company must make such safety restrictions, which were previously optional, directly the default setting for new accounts opened by teens.
Other World Developments
As the death toll from the devastating floods hitting Nepal and Tibet rose to 165, it was reported that approximately 1,400 people are missing and search operations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, a federal judge in the US struck down for a second time a Texas state law banning drag shows in environments where children might be present.