CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) – Changes are coming to social media platforms under Meta following an $18 billion settlement in a landmark lawsuit.
Dozens of states, including those in the Heartland, are set to receive some of that payout.
The lawsuit alleged the media giant purposely designed addictive platforms and harmed young people’s mental health.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has also agreed to make changes for users under 18:
- A two-hour daily time limit
- A night mode that would block app use between midnight and 6 a.m.
- A school mode to mute notifications during class time
- Disabling cosmetic surgery and extreme makeup filters
- Strengthening parental controls
Those changes are still pending judicial approval, and Meta did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
When it comes to the impact of social media use on teens, Tim Grogan with Community Counseling Center said there are multiple studies on the negatives.
“There’s some alarming studies out there that would say that…three hours or more use for teens on social media actually can double the increase of anxiety and depression. There’s some other studies that says that teens that have a social media addiction are at twice the risk of suicide. So it’s some pretty serious things out there.”
Grogan said a big concern is the amount of time spent looking at screens.
“They should be going to bed, should be studying, we should be doing other things that are more productive.”
Grogan said cyberbullying is also high on the list.
“It’s not like whenever I was a kid where, you know, you maybe got bullied at school a little bit, but then you go home and it’s over, right? Well, now it’s 24/7, and they can hide behind different accounts that’s not really their name and it can be constant.”
If implemented, Grogan said the changes agreed to by Meta could have a positive impact.
“Hopefully, it can make a difference and hopefully, parents can feel more empowered to be aware of what’s going on and actually be able to check up and see and maybe be comfortable that their kids aren’t going to be getting intto things they shouldn’t be into.”
Grogan said parents who are concerned about their teen’s online activities should start a conversation.
“Just figure out, what are they on and who are they talking to? And being engaged with your kid as much as possible.”
Parents can also consider putting their child’s access to the digital world on hold.
“That’s the thing I think about. I’ve got a young one and I think about when’s the right time to get on the phone, or do we get a phone that’s restricted?”
Grogan said teens can feel empowered to protect their own mental health as well.
“Maybe just because it’s out there doesn’t mean we should be on it. We shouldn’t be looking at some of these things, some of these websites aren’t healthy to be looking at.”
If social media becomes too intense, Grogan reminded that the 988 Lifeline is available for anyone, any time.
“You can call and you can text, video chat if you have anything going on, especially thoughts of suicide or anything like that.”
Community Counseling Center is a private nonprofit located at 402 S. Silver Springs Road in Cape Girardeau.
There are also locations in Fredericktown, Marble Hill, Perryville and Ste. Genevieve.
Call the main line at (573) 334-1100 or visit www.cccntr.com for more.
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