Meta will soon place new automatic limits on Instagram and Facebook accounts for users ages 13 to 17. The changes form part of the company’s $18 billion settlement with 48 states over child safety claims. Features that will switch on by default include daily time limits, blocked access during nighttime hours, and reduced functionality during school periods. Teens will face a two-hour daily cap across both apps unless a parent turns it off. Nighttime restrictions will stop most posting and scrolling between midnight and 6 a.m., though messaging will still work. The platforms must also offer a non-personalized feed option and show prompts after long scrolling sessions. Meta has six months to implement the measures. Parents will retain the ability to adjust many of the settings.
Meta will soon place new automatic limits on Instagram and Facebook accounts for users ages 13 to 17. The changes form part of the company’s $18 billion settlement with 48 states over child safety claims. Features that will switch on by default include daily time limits, blocked access during nighttime hours, and reduced functionality during school periods. Teens will face a two-hour daily cap across both apps unless a parent turns it off. Nighttime restrictions will stop most posting and scrolling between midnight and 6 a.m., though messaging will still work. The platforms must also offer a non-personalized feed option and show prompts after long scrolling sessions. Meta has six months to implement the measures. Parents will retain the ability to adjust many of the settings.