Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $18 billion over the next 10 years to settle lawsuits alleging that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to make children and teenagers addicted to social media.
The agreement, reached between Meta and nearly all U.S. states, also requires the company to impose stricter controls on Facebook and Instagram use by people under the age of 18.
Under the settlement announced on Wednesday, the agreement will resolve court cases accusing Meta’s social media products of harming children’s health and safety, as well as allegations that the company misled the public about the safety of its platforms.
Four states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, had been preparing to seek nearly $200 billion in civil penalties and damages from Meta.
Under the settlement, however, Meta will not be required to make major changes to the fundamental design and structure of its social media platforms. Instead, the company has agreed to strengthen the way it provides services to young users and enhance safety measures.
Under the agreement, Meta will limit Facebook and Instagram use by users under 18 to a maximum of two hours per day over the next 10 years. It will also block access for young users from midnight to 6 a.m. without parental consent.
Restrictions on young users could become even stricter if other social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, adopt similar rules.
Meta has also agreed to disable most notifications sent to teenage users during school hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and strengthen measures to prevent children from accessing age-restricted content.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the main purpose of the case was to protect children. He added that the relief secured through the settlement was highly significant and went beyond what a court had ordered or was likely to order.
The settlement with Meta could serve as a precedent for thousands of lawsuits filed against other social media companies over the impact of social media on children and teenagers.
Ref: Reuters
