How Meta will pull off massive changes to its social media apps
Meta settled its child safety case. Now comes the hard part of actually implementing changes to its social media platforms. Here's what to expect.
TL;DR
- Meta's $17 billion settlement over child safety will lead to the most substantial changes ever for teen users on its platforms.
- New features for users aged 13-17 include a two-hour default time limit, a ban on app usage between midnight and 6 a.m., muted notifications during school hours, hidden likes, disabled cosmetic filters, and options for video autoplay control and non-algorithmic feeds.
- Meta will implement stricter age assurances to prevent underage users and accurately identify teens who have lied about their age, using a new prediction model based on user connections and interactions.
- A portion of Meta's settlement payment is contingent on TikTok and YouTube agreeing to similar terms and default time limits.
- Some officials, like Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, are unsatisfied, arguing that the implemented changes should be permanent, not time-bound.
- While Meta claims teens generate less than 1% of its revenue, restrictions could negatively impact its long-term appeal to this demographic, potentially affecting future adult ad revenue.