- Meta agreed to a $17 billion settlement, subject to court approval, with injunctive terms including default daily time limits and a block on overnight use.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the settlement, stating it will make social media less dangerous for kids.
- Bonta highlighted that Meta has agreed to make massive transformations, including time limits and stopping notifications during school.
- Meta responded by urging TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar measures for responsible social media use.
- The agreement resolves claims by 47 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands that Meta designed its platform with addictive features and misled the public about safety.
- The settlement includes strong injunctive terms such as enhanced parental supervision tools and the appointment of an independent auditor to oversee compliance.
Meta has reached a $17 billion settlement with 47 states and territories over allegations of designing addictive features that harm young users. The agreement, pending court approval, includes time limits on social media use, enhanced parental controls, and the appointment of an independent auditor to ensure compliance.1356
The lawsuit, initiated by California and other states, claimed that Meta knowingly exposed young users to serious mental health risks and misled the public about the safety of its platforms. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, "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."2
The settlement outlines injunctive terms aimed at protecting children, including default daily time limits and a block on overnight use that can only be lifted by a parent. Enhanced parental supervision tools and robust age assurance measures will also be implemented to detect underage users on the platform.
Meta acknowledged the settlement, stating, "While this is an important step, the fact is that teens move fluidly between dozens of apps a day." The company urged other platforms like TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar measures to ensure a healthier social media environment for teens.4
The proposed settlement is expected to provide significant financial resources to the states, with California projected to receive between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion if approved by the court.
“The settlement, subject to court approval, mandates default daily time limits and a block on overnight use that only parents can lift. California AG Rob Bonta said Meta will also stop notifications during school and ban plastic surgery filters, while Meta urged TikTok and YouTube to adopt the same measures.”
news.cgtn.com
