Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, has agreed to a settlement of up to $18 billion. This follows accusations from dozens of US states that its products are addictive and have harmed children.
The settlement introduces design restrictions for teen accounts. These include a two-hour daily limit, no access between midnight and 6am, and no notifications during school hours. Teen accounts will also need to be linked to a parent's account, alongside stronger age verification measures.
This agreement is the culmination of a campaign initiated in 2016 by journalists and independent researchers, which focused on the digital design of disinformation campaigns. Mark Zuckerberg's leadership is cited as a consistent factor in Meta's history of significant errors.
The settlement does not resolve the scientific debate regarding the addictiveness of social media. However, it is seen as a precursor to a more challenging future for Meta's businesses, potentially increasing costs due to the enforcement of new rules for teens.