Meta to overhaul Instagram and Facebook safety features in US states settlement

Meta has agreed to implement sweeping child-safety measures on Instagram and Facebook as part of a proposed settlement with US states. The deal, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, aims to address allegations that the platforms harmed young users.

Under the terms, users under 18 will face a default daily usage limit of two hours, which can only be lifted by a parent. Teenagers will also be blocked from using the platforms between midnight and 6 am by default, and notifications will be restricted during nighttime and school hours.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the changes would take effect within months. "Meta has agreed to make massive transformations that will reduce the risk of harm from its platforms — and will do it within months," he said in a statement.

The settlement also requires Meta to strengthen age-assurance systems to better identify users under 18 and detect children under 13. An independent auditor will monitor compliance.

Financially, the court filing lists maximum payments to settling states at about USD 16.68 billion, with some amounts conditional. The California Attorney General's office described the total as up to USD 17 billion over 10 years.

The agreement resolves a 2023 lawsuit brought by 29 states, which alleged that Meta designed features to encourage excessive use among minors and illegally collected data from children under 13. Meta has denied the allegations and any liability, and the settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

The trial, which began on August 18, was halted after the parties reached the proposed settlement. The agreement is subject to court approval.