Introduction
In a landmark agreement, Meta has committed to sweeping changes designed to restrict minors' access to its platforms as part of an $18 billion settlement with 29 U.S. states. The settlement, announced on Wednesday, addresses long-standing concerns over social media harms to children and introduces measures that will significantly reshape how teenagers use Instagram and Facebook.
Key Changes for Underage Users
The new protections will automatically apply to all users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook in participating U.S. states and territories, pending judicial approval. Critically, the majority of these controls will remain in place for a decade—a substantial commitment from the tech giant.
Two-Hour Daily Time Limit
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a daily two-hour time limit for teenagers. This limit can only be disabled with parental permission, and once reached, teens will be locked out of both platforms. Importantly, the time limit is cumulative across Instagram and Facebook, meaning time spent on either app counts toward the total. Meta also stated that the limit will apply even if it detects a user managing multiple accounts.
Night Mode and School-Day Notifications
Meta will also implement a default 'Night Mode' that blocks access to its apps between midnight and 6 a.m., preventing underage users from viewing, posting, or interacting with any content. While the company previously muted notifications at night, this new setting goes further by blocking access entirely.
In addition, notifications will be muted by default during school hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). During these hours, teens will not receive push notifications, except for direct messages and alerts related to account security or safety.
Non-Algorithmic Feed Options
For the first time, parents and guardians can set their teen's default feed to a non-algorithmic, chronological view. Previously, users could only temporarily switch to a chronological feed, with the app reverting to algorithmic suggestions upon reopening. This change gives families more control over content exposure.
Additional Protective Measures
Meta will also block underage users from using extreme makeup filters, building on existing restrictions that already prohibited cosmetic surgery filters. Autoplay will be disabled by default, requiring a 'deliberate action'—such as tapping or swiping—to view more content. Like and reaction counts will be hidden by default for underage users, on both their own posts and others', although teens can choose to reveal them.
Furthermore, Meta is strengthening its age-verification technology to better identify users aged 13 to 17, even if they provide a false adult birth date, ensuring that protections are applied accurately.
Looking Ahead
This settlement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over child safety online. As of 2026, regulators worldwide are increasingly scrutinizing social media platforms, and this agreement could serve as a template for future legislation and industry standards. For parents and guardians, these changes offer a layer of reassurance, but they also highlight the need for ongoing vigilance in the digital age.
via TechCrunch