Meta has reached a settlement with U.S. state attorneys general over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that encouraged excessive use among young people and improperly handled children’s data.
The agreement resolves a case brought by 29 states that accused the company of violating consumer protection laws and failing to adequately protect younger users. Meta denied the allegations but agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion as part of the settlement.
New Restrictions for Teen Users
As part of the agreement, Meta will introduce additional protections aimed at limiting harmful experiences for teenagers and giving parents more control over how young users interact with its platforms.
The measures include stricter limits on usage time, improved account protections, and new controls designed to reduce exposure to potentially harmful content.
- Daily usage limits and mandatory breaks for teen users on Facebook and Instagram.
- Nighttime restrictions that limit access to feeds and reduce late-night notifications.
- Reduced notifications during school hours.
- Stronger age verification systems and safer content recommendations.
- Expanded parental supervision tools.
- Restrictions on features linked to social comparison, including certain filters and visible engagement metrics.
The agreement also requires independent reviews to evaluate whether the new safety measures are being implemented effectively.
Meta Calls for Broader Industry Action
Meta said protecting teenagers online requires cooperation across the social media industry because young users often use multiple platforms.
The company encouraged competitors, including TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, to adopt similar safety standards, arguing that consistent protections across platforms would create a stronger impact.
Settlement Adds Pressure on Social Media Companies
The case represents one of the largest legal challenges faced by a major social media company over concerns about youth safety and platform design.
Regulators and lawmakers have increasingly focused on how technology companies manage children’s online experiences, including issues related to privacy, addictive design features, and mental health impacts.
Nvidia Delivers Strong Quarterly Results
Alongside Meta’s legal settlement, Nvidia also attracted investor attention after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly results driven by continued demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The chipmaker reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.22 on revenue of $96.2 billion, exceeding analyst expectations.
Nvidia also issued a strong forecast for the following quarter, projecting revenue between $105.8 billion and $110.1 billion as companies continue investing heavily in AI computing capacity.
