Winning Bizness Desk

US children won’t be able to use Facebook-Instagram at night: Meta, US states reach Rs 1.59 lakh crore settlement

Facebook and Instagram are set for tighter restrictions on young users in the US, with Meta agreeing to measures that will limit when and for how long children and teenagers can access the platforms. The changes follow a $16.7 billion, or around Rs 1.59 lakh crore, legal settlement between Meta and 29 US states over allegations concerning the impact of its platforms on young people.

Deal follows allegations over children’s mental health

The case centres on claims that Facebook and Instagram could have a damaging effect on the mental health of children and teenagers. Meta was also accused of knowing about the potential harm linked to its platforms but failing to properly disclose those concerns to the public.

Under the settlement, the company will have to introduce several safeguards for younger users. The measures are focused on restricting excessive use, keeping younger children off the platforms and giving parents greater control.

Four key safeguards will reshape access

The new requirements will cover four broad areas, putting additional restrictions around how young users interact with Facebook and Instagram:

• Daily limits on teenagers’ app usage
• Night-time restrictions blocking access during specified hours
• Stronger age checks to keep younger children away
• Parental controls for monitoring and managing usage

The measures are specific to the US. They will not automatically apply to Meta users in other parts of the world.

Data collection claims add to Meta’s troubles

The legal action also raised concerns over the handling of children’s personal information. Meta faced allegations that it collected such data without parents being aware and subsequently used it to train AI models.

The company has denied the allegations. Meta has maintained that it has already taken significant steps to improve child safety across its platforms. It also argued in court that describing social media use as an “addiction” was misleading because social media addiction is not recognised as a mental illness.

Critics question how social media algorithms work

The dispute also highlights a wider concern about the way major social media platforms are designed. Their recommendation algorithms are built to keep users engaged, serving them a steady stream of content intended to encourage longer sessions.

That design has come under particular scrutiny when the users are children and teenagers. Critics argue that repeated engagement can develop into excessive use, making it harder for young users to step away from the platforms.

Meta is not alone in facing legal action

The legal pressure extends well beyond Facebook and Instagram. Snapchat, YouTube and TikTok are also facing thousands of lawsuits in US courts over allegations linked to children’s social media use.

The companies have been accused of deliberately introducing features that encourage young users to spend more time on their platforms. The lawsuits have made child safety and the design of social media products a growing legal and regulatory issue.

Young users remain focus of US scrutiny

The cases against the technology companies revolve around several concerns that have increasingly drawn attention from parents and authorities:

• Excessive social media use among children
• Platform features that encourage prolonged engagement
• Possible effects on young users’ mental health
• Collection and use of children’s personal data

The settlement with Meta represents one of the largest developments in this broader legal fight, while leaving the company to implement a new set of restrictions for young users in the US.

Restrictions remain limited to American users

For American children and teenagers, the agreement means social media access will come with clearer limits, particularly at night and in terms of total daily usage. Parents will also get additional tools to control how their children use the platforms.

The rules, however, are not global. They will apply only in the US, meaning children using Facebook and Instagram elsewhere will not be covered by these particular restrictions. Meta continues to reject the allegations made against it, even as lawsuits involving the wider technology industry continue.