Instagram CEO denies company hid low use of teen safety feature in Meta trial
Meta Platforms reached a settlement with US states to resolve claims regarding teen social media addiction. The company will pay up to $18 billion and implement new safety restrictions for users under 18 on Facebook and Instagram. These changes include midnight cutoffs and daily time limits. While some observers call the deal a bargain due to a 10-year payment plan and product loopholes, the agreement alters how brands and creators engage with teen audiences. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri previously denied that the company suppressed data on the low adoption of safety tools.
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- ✓ Meta agreed to a settlement of up to $18 billion to resolve teen social media addiction claims.
- ✓ The settlement requires Meta to introduce new limits for teens under 18 on Facebook and Instagram.
- ✓ Safety measures include daily usage limits and a midnight cutoff for users under 18.
What changed
The settlement amount is updated to $18 billion involving 48 states, rather than $17 billion across 47 states.
Live updates
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Meta settles teen addiction case for up to $18 billion
Meta Platforms reached a settlement with US states to resolve claims regarding teen social media addiction. The company will pay up to $18 billion and implement new safety restrictions for users under 18 on Facebook and Instagram. These changes include midnight cutoffs and daily time limits. While some observers call the deal a bargain due to a 10-year payment plan and product loopholes, the agreement alters how brands and creators engage with teen audiences. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri previously denied that the company suppressed data on the low adoption of safety tools.
Why it matters
The settlement follows a trial focused on how Meta's platforms contribute to addiction in minors. It mandates systemic changes to child safety measures to mitigate risks. This legal resolution affects both platform architecture and the business models of third-party creators.
What is confirmed
- Meta agreed to a settlement of up to $18 billion to resolve teen social media addiction claims.
- The settlement requires Meta to introduce new limits for teens under 18 on Facebook and Instagram.
- Safety measures include daily usage limits and a midnight cutoff for users under 18.
Still unconfirmed
- The settlement is a bargain because of a 10-year payment plan and product loopholes.
- The agreement complicates deals for brands and creators targeting teen audiences.
- The settlement involved 48 U.S. states.
What to watch next
- Implementation dates for the midnight cutoff and daily usage limits.
- Details of the 10-year payment schedule for the $18 billion fine.
- Reports on how brand-creator deals are restructured under the new rules.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- apnews.com — Time limits and a midnight cutoff: Meta’s new rules for kids go further, but critics say not enough
- www.techrepublic.com — Meta Settles Teen Social Media Addiction Case for Up to $18B
- www.forbes.com — Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Complicates Brand-Creator Deals On Social Media
- www.businessinsider.com — What Meta bought with its $18 billion settlement
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Meta settles teen social media addiction trial for $17 billion
Meta has agreed to a $17 billion settlement with 47 US states to resolve a trial concerning teen social media addiction. As part of the deal, the company will implement stricter child-safety measures on Facebook and Instagram, including daily usage limits, blocks on nighttime use, and hidden likes. These changes follow testimony from Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, who denied instructing staff to hide risks or suppress data regarding the low adoption of teen safety tools.
Why it matters
The legal action focused on whether Meta intentionally designed its platforms to be addictive to minors. The case served as a bellwether for how states hold tech companies accountable for youth mental health.
What is confirmed
- Meta agreed to pay $17 billion to settle claims filed by 47 states.
- The settlement requires Meta to add protections for teens, including nighttime blocks and daily usage limits.
- Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified that he did not tell his team to hide any information.
- Mosseri denied encouraging the suppression of social media risks for children.
Still unconfirmed
- A former Meta staffer claimed 99% of teens avoided an early safety tool.
- Mosseri stated there are no silver bullets for teen safety.
What to watch next
- Implementation timelines for the daily usage limits and nighttime blocks
- Responses from child safety groups regarding the adequacy of the settlement terms
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (14)
- Bloomberg — Ex-Meta Staffer Says 99% of Teens Shunned Early Safety Tool
- Reuters — Instagram head Mosseri denies encouraging suppression of child social media risks
- The New York Times — Instagram Chief Says ‘No Silver Bullets’ for Teen Safety in Bellwether Trial
- CNBC — Instagram chief Mosseri says in social media addiction trial he doesn't tell team to 'hide anything'
- The Guardian — Instagram CEO denies company hid low use of teen safety feature in Meta trial
- NBC Bay Area — Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri takes stand in landmark Meta trial over child safety
- Yahoo Finance — Meta, States Have Discussed Settling Teen Social Media Case
- Yahoo — Meta and US states discuss settlement in landmark social media trial: report
- www.theguardian.com — Meta agrees to major changes to Facebook and Instagram as it settles US trial over teen addiction for up to $17bn
- apnews.com — Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction
- www.theguardian.com — Instagram CEO denies company hid low use of teen safety feature in Meta trial
- www.wired.com — The Meta Settlement Will Put Limits on Instagram for Teens. They’re Still Vulnerable
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