Meta to limit teen use of Instagram and Facebook

Meta has agreed to implement new default settings aimed at limiting the daily usage of Instagram and Facebook for users under 18. The agreement, reached with approximately 50 U.S. states, will cap combined daily usage on both platforms at two hours for minors. Access to the applications, excluding messaging functions, will be restricted between midnight and 6 a.m.

These new settings, which can only be adjusted by a parent, are expected to be rolled out to users in the signatory states within the next six months. Beyond time limits, Meta will also disable notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., as well as during school hours. This move aims to reduce constant interruptions and encourage more focused engagement with the platforms.

Further changes include the masking of 'like' counts, a feature previously tested and implemented on some accounts, intended to reduce social pressure and comparison among young users. Additionally, filters that mimic cosmetic surgery effects will be deactivated. This decision addresses growing concerns about the impact of idealized digital appearances on adolescent mental health.

The agreement comes amid increasing scrutiny of social media's effects on young people's well-being. While Meta frames these changes as protective measures, the implementation details and their effectiveness in genuinely safeguarding minors will be closely watched by regulators and parents alike.