Meta agreed to a series of adjustments to the rules governing the use of minors in Instagram and Facebook, following a US$ 18 billion settlement in child safety-related litigation in 29 states. The new measures cover various stages of use, night visits, recommended content, notification and parental control.

2-hour limit over time

Meta indicated that the platform would set a two-hour daily ceiling for the accounts of adolescents. When the ceiling is reached, users will not be able to continue using Facebook and Instagram, and parental permission is required to close this restriction.

This period will be based on a combination of Facebook and Instagram instead of separate statistics. Meta also stated that if the system identified multiple accounts used by the same user, the relevant length would be added to the total limit.

In addition to the total length of time limit, young people use Facebook or Instagram to receive a reminder every 15 minutes. Previously, the platform had been used on a single-day basis to eject in 60 minutes, on the basis of which the new mechanism would be further tightened.

Interrupt access after midnight

It was arranged that Meta would use the “night mode” blockade for minors by default, from 0:00 to 6:00 a.m. During this time period, underage users will not be able to access, post or view the Platform ' s content.

In terms of content distribution, minors will be able to set non-calculations-recommended information flow as a default option and return to the individualized recommendation page once the application has been opened. Parents and guardians can also directly set this default model for the youth account.

Meta will also allow parents and adolescents to turn off the automatic playback. After closing, the user needs a clear operation, such as clicking or sliding, to continue to view the follow-up.

Quiet announcement at school

Meta indicated that the platform would default silent notices during school hours, setting the time from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. During that period, young people would not receive a reminder, but private letters and information relating to account security and personal security would remain.

At the same time, the Platform will implicitly hide the amount of praises and interactions in the minors ' post, whether their own content or that of others, which are not directly shown. Previously, young people had the option to hide, and now they will turn it on by default.

With regard to the use of filters, Meta stated that minors would be prohibited from using exaggerated cosmetic filters. This limitation is further expanded by the existing filtration filter limit.

Ten years of settlement.

This $18 billion settlement will be paid to the states for 10 years. However, about 30 per cent, or $5.3 billion, of this amount will be paid only if similar restrictions are imposed on YouTube and TikTok.

In its statement, Meta stated that if only a single platform was tightened, young people might switch to other applications and that the associated protection measures should be implemented simultaneously by more platforms.

Additional information:At the same time, Meta indicated that the Platform would continue to limit the number of accounts in which young people ' s attention or interaction was deemed inappropriate, would also continue to acquiesce in the establishment of youth accounts as private and would limit the active contact of suspected adults.