Meta Settles with States for Up to $17B amid High-Profile Social Media Addiction Trial, Agrees to Implement More Safety Features

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of popular social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, has entered into a landmark settlement with a coalition of attorneys general from various U.S. states. This agreement stems from serious allegations regarding the design of its apps, which were claimed to be addictive and harmful to young users. Under the settlement, which may reach up to $17 billion over a decade, Meta will implement significant reforms aimed at improving the safety and well-being of its younger audience.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the settlement on Wednesday, detailing the commitments made by Meta to address concerns about child safety on its platforms. Among the key changes, the company will introduce new safety measures that include time limits for usage, parental controls, and restrictions on certain features deemed harmful to users under the age of 18.

One notable change is the establishment of a default daily usage limit of two hours for minors. Meta will also implement a “nighttime block” feature that will restrict access to its platforms between midnight and 6 a.m., alongside notification blocks from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and during school hours. These restrictions will be enforceable only through parental controls, ensuring that parents have a mechanism to manage their children’s social media use effectively.

In addition to time management features, the company is set to enhance tools that will allow teenagers to report potentially harmful content. There will be an obligation for Meta to respond to 90% of these reports within six hours, aiming to foster a safer online environment. Furthermore, the agreement specifies the removal of features that have been identified as problematic, such as the display of like counts and filters for cosmetic procedures for users under 18.

Another significant aspect of the new measures includes the introduction of a non-personalised content feed for younger users. This option will help curtail endless scrolling by not employing algorithms that encourage excessive usage. The overall aim is to mitigate risks associated with app overuse and to promote healthier engagement with social media platforms.

Attorney General Bonta expressed optimism about the potential impact of the settlement. He remarked, “Today, we have secured a settlement with Meta that will make social media less dangerous for our kids and make a world of a difference for children and their families.” He emphasised the importance of the comprehensive changes that will be enacted swiftly, without unnecessary delays.

This settlement is particularly significant as it follows a lawsuit filed nearly three years ago involving attorneys general from 29 U.S. states. Accusations included illegally collecting and using children’s data and designing the apps to encourage excessive usage, thus jeopardising the mental health of young users. Additionally, claims surfaced suggesting that Meta had misled the public regarding the safety of its platforms.

The settlement is set to be reviewed and must receive court approval before any of the proposed changes can take effect. The implications of this settlement may resonate beyond the U.S., as similar legal and ethical scrutiny of big tech companies continues worldwide. Earlier this year, a New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay close to $1 billion to address the mental health impacts experienced by young users on its platforms, showing a growing recognition of the responsibility that social media companies have toward their younger audiences.

As Meta progresses with these changes, it is anticipated that they will serve as a benchmark for other social media platforms to follow. The outcome of this settlement marks a crucial turning point in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the balance between tech innovation, user engagement, and child safety online.

Meta has yet to release a comment on the settlement. However, the company’s commitment to implement these safety measures indicates a shift in its approach to product design and user interaction, especially concerning vulnerable populations such as children and teens.