Meta's New Social Media Guidelines for Teen Users
New time limits and protection measures for teens on Instagram and Facebook.
1Post-Lawsuit Changes
Following an $18 billion lawsuit, Meta is implementing new measures for teen users on Instagram and Facebook. Users under 18 will face a default 2-hour daily social media limit, extendable by parents. Content access will be restricted between midnight and 6 a.m., and school mode will mute notifications from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. These changes aim to reduce social media addiction among teens.
2Time Alerts and Autoplay Removal
Meta is adding new usage alerts to help teens manage their screen time. Notifications will appear after 15, 60, and 90 minutes of use. Additionally, video autoplay will be disabled by default. These features are designed to encourage conscious social media consumption. Parents will have the option to adjust these settings as needed.
3Toxic Content Filtering
Teen users will no longer see likes and reactions on posts, including their own. Access to certain content like cosmetic surgery and 'extreme makeup' filters will be restricted. However, the scope of these limitations remains unclear. Meta plans to use movie ratings and parent feedback to develop age-appropriate content filters.
4Algorithm-Free Feed Option
Teens will have the option to choose a non-algorithmic feed, free from Meta's personalized recommendations. This feature will only show content from accounts they follow directly. The move aims to reduce addictive scrolling behaviors. Adult users have also expressed interest in similar features for their accounts.
5Age Verification Strategy
Meta is developing new technologies to identify under-13 and 13-17 year-old users. Details remain scarce, but the system may use AI scans of account activity and visual cues. It's unclear whether there will be an appeals process for incorrectly flagged accounts. The company hasn't disclosed how this technology will work in practice.
6Global Social Media Regulations
The EU restricts social media access for children under 13, while Australia bans Instagram for under-16s. Meta has called on other platforms like TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar measures. However, these companies haven't yet responded. Worldwide debates about appropriate social media usage ages are intensifying.
7Criticisms and Concerns
Amba Kak of AI Now Institute argues Meta's changes don't address platform architecture designed for addiction. Features like infinite scroll remain unchanged. 'The surveillance advertising business model prioritizes engagement at all costs,' Kak states. She warns that without addressing root causes, problems will persist through superficial fixes.
8Next Steps and Research Foundation
Approved by a judge, the new protections will roll out in coming months. As part of the settlement, Meta will establish an independent social media research foundation. This foundation will share 'consented' user data to support teen wellbeing. However, the effectiveness and timeline of these implementations remain uncertain.
Original article: CNET — Meta'nın Genç Kullanıcılar İçin Yeni Sosyal Medya Kuralları