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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A coalition of 52 attorneys general reached a landmark $17–18 billion settlement with Meta over social media features deemed harmful to teens. The deal mandates time limits, nighttime restrictions, school-hour notification mutes, and stronger parental controls on Facebook and Instagram. Experts say it's a meaningful shift — but its real impact hinges on enforcement and independent evaluation.
A bipartisan coalition of 52 attorneys general struck a landmark $17–18 billion settlement with Meta, resolving allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to drive compulsive use among children and adolescents. The deal — subject to court approval — requires Meta to roll out a suite of protective features within months, including a 2-hour daily time limit for users under 18, a Night Mode blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m., and a School Mode that mutes notifications during school hours. Hidden like counts, blocked extreme makeup filters, and stronger age-assurance measures are also part of the package.
Research backs up the urgency. Studies show that problematic social media use in adolescents is linked to depression, suicidal behavior, sleep disruption, substance initiation, and lower cognitive performance. Among 11–12-year-olds, 64% were already using platforms despite the 13-year minimum age requirement, with an average of 3.4 accounts each.
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Why it matters: This settlement marks a pivotal shift in accountability — moving responsibility from individual kids and parents onto the platforms themselves. But experts caution that many proposed features haven't been rigorously evaluated, making independent oversight and ongoing research essential to determine whether these changes actually improve youth mental health.
