17:48Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Meta Sets 2-Hour Facebook and Instagram Limit for Teens
Meta is preparing to introduce new safety rules restricting teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram. However, the new measures announced by the company will initially apply only to users in the US. The new rules are part of a settlement Meta reached in lawsuits filed by dozens of US states over children’s privacy and social media addiction. Under the settlement, the company could pay the states a total of up to $18 billion.
The new system will introduce several restrictions on the amount of time users ages 13-17 spend on Facebook and Instagram. One of the main changes is a default daily usage limit of 2 hours for teenagers. In addition, access to the apps will automatically be restricted at night. Parents will be able to tighten these limits further. Teenagers will also be reminded that they can switch to a feed that is not shaped by algorithmic recommendations. Parents or guardians will be able to set this option as the default on a teenager’s account. According to a Meta spokesperson, the company will monitor the results of the changes introduced in the US and continue discussing the issue with governments in other countries. However, there is currently no specific decision on implementing the rules outside the US. The UK government expects Meta to introduce the same safety measures for teenagers in the country. UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said they do not want a situation in which American teenagers receive a higher level of protection than British teenagers. Meta has also said it could tighten the time limits planned for Facebook and Instagram further if TikTok and YouTube take similar steps. Under the current settlement, some restrictions are expected to remain in effect for at least five years.
The new system will introduce several restrictions on the amount of time users ages 13-17 spend on Facebook and Instagram. One of the main changes is a default daily usage limit of 2 hours for teenagers. In addition, access to the apps will automatically be restricted at night. Parents will be able to tighten these limits further. Teenagers will also be reminded that they can switch to a feed that is not shaped by algorithmic recommendations. Parents or guardians will be able to set this option as the default on a teenager’s account. According to a Meta spokesperson, the company will monitor the results of the changes introduced in the US and continue discussing the issue with governments in other countries. However, there is currently no specific decision on implementing the rules outside the US. The UK government expects Meta to introduce the same safety measures for teenagers in the country. UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said they do not want a situation in which American teenagers receive a higher level of protection than British teenagers. Meta has also said it could tighten the time limits planned for Facebook and Instagram further if TikTok and YouTube take similar steps. Under the current settlement, some restrictions are expected to remain in effect for at least five years.