By Breaking Belize News Staff: Meta has agreed to pay up to US$16.7 billion and make sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram as part of a landmark settlement over allegations that its social media platforms harmed children and teenagers.
The proposed settlement, which remains subject to court approval, resolves claims accusing Meta of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to encourage compulsive use among young people, misleading the public about potential risks, and improperly collecting personal information from children under 13. Meta has denied wrongdoing.
Under the agreement, users under 18 will face a default two-hour daily limit across Facebook and Instagram that can only be disabled with parental permission. Teen accounts will also be blocked from most app features between midnight and 6 a.m., while notifications will be muted during school hours.
Other measures include stronger age-verification systems, expanded parental controls, an option for teens to use a non-algorithmic feed, restrictions on cosmetic surgery filters and the hiding of like and reaction counts by default.
The settlement was reached after a federal trial began in California on August 18. The case formed part of a broader wave of lawsuits alleging that social media companies contributed to mental health problems among young users. An independent auditor will monitor Meta’s compliance with the agreement.
Meta said the agreement involves attorneys general from 52 U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia and called on TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar protections for young users.
The post INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Meta agrees to pay up to $16.7 billion in landmark settlement over claims that Facebook harms children appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Meta has agreed to pay up to US$16.7 billion and make sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram as part of a landmark settlement over allegations that its social media platforms harmed children and teenagers. The proposed settlement, which remains subject to court approval, resolves claims accusing Meta of deliberately designing
The post INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Meta agrees to pay up to $16.7 billion in landmark settlement over claims that Facebook harms children appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
