YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) – A massive settlement with Meta could change how kids use its social media platforms. Forty-seven states are involved, including North and South Carolina, and the company will have to add new protections for younger users.
Some people in York County shared that they believe kids spend too much time on their phones.
“Some kids, yes, definitely,” said Carrie Overby.
Related –> Meta to pay $18B in landmark children’s online safety settlement
Another resident shared her concerns about the growing number of kids using social media.
“I think it’s overwhelming. It’s a lot we don’t understand,” she said.
That concern is part of why 47 states reached a settlement of more than $18 billion with Meta that could change how kids use social media. South Carolina will get more than $246 million, and North Carolina could get up to $650 million.
“The real goal was a new list of protections for kids so that these apps are a safer place for them to be,” said Jeff Jackson North Carolina Attorney General.
Jackson tells WBTV the money could be used in afterschool and summer programs and mental health resources. Meta will also now be required to add safety features to Facebook and Instagram.
Some restrictions include daily time limits, nighttime blocks, age verification, age-appropriate content and limited comparison features.
“I think that’s a great idea. Like I said, I monitor mine, my kids are only allowed on social media for like two hours a day,” Overby said.
Now, Jackson says he’s looking for other social media companies to set up similar guardrails.
“The writing is now on the wall for those companies. What I’m telling them is, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. We can go to court and get a massive judgment against you, or you can come to the table and agree to put in the same kind of protections that Meta just agreed to and help us keep kids safe,” Jackson said.
Meta will roll out changes across its platforms over time.
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