Meta’s decision to restrict teenagers’ use of its social media
platforms in the United States shows that the company has the tools
to provide stronger protections for young people online, Australian
officials said as the country continues to face uneven enforcement
of its own social media restrictions.
According to foreign media, Meta has agreed to pay up to $18
billion in compensation over 10 years as part of a settlement with
nearly all U.S. states over allegations concerning the impact of
its social media platforms on teenagers.
The agreement has opened a new front in governments’ efforts
around the world to protect children online and address concerns
over potentially addictive use of platforms such as Facebook and
Instagram.
Governments in several countries have been seeking to restrict
children’s exposure to harmful online content. Australia introduced
the world’s first nationwide ban on social media use by children
under 16 late last year.
A similar proposal is also being considered in Azerbaijan. Under
a draft bill, children under 16 would be prohibited from creating
accounts on certain social media platforms, while users aged 16 to
18 would require parental consent and face additional
safeguards.
Under the U.S. settlement, Meta has agreed to pay up to $18
billion over a decade and introduce restrictions on how teenagers
use Facebook and Instagram. The agreement seeks to resolve lawsuits
alleging that the company designed its platforms in ways that
encouraged addictive use among children. Meta has denied wrongdoing
but agreed to settle the cases.
The agreement would bring significant changes to the operation
of Facebook and Instagram in the United States. Among the measures
is a default two-hour daily usage limit for users under the age of
18.
Previously, 29 U.S. states had sought penalties against Meta and
demanded changes to the way Facebook and Instagram operate,
accusing the company of encouraging social media addiction among
young people. Meta estimated that losing the case could have
resulted in fines of up to $1.4 trillion.
It should be noted that thousands of lawsuits have been filed
against Meta, alleging that the company prioritized business growth
over the safety of underage users.
Image: Dado Ruvic / Reuters
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