Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle lawsuits regarding harm to children through Facebook and Instagram. The case concerned the collection and use of data from children under 13 and was based on the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
As part of the agreement, Meta plans to change the safety systems for teenagers on Instagram and Facebook. Specifically, a default usage limit of two hours per day will be set, which will not include the time spent on direct messaging. Notifications for teenagers will be disabled from midnight to 6:00 AM, as well as during school days from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Additionally, likes on posts and content will be completely hidden from them.
Most of the changes are expected to be implemented within the next six months, while new systems for better identification of children will be rolled out within a year. Meta does not admit to any wrongdoing under the agreement.
