BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Meta has agreed to a multibillion-dollar settlement with states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram harmed children and teens, a deal that would add new protections for users under 18 and end a closely watched federal trial.
SANTA ROSA, PHILIPPINES – JANUARY 08: In this photo illustration, the Meta logo and its verified logo are seen on screens on January 08, 2025 in Santa Rosa, Philippines. Meta has announced the discontinuation of its fact-checking program, transitioning to a community-driven model that relies on users to add context to potentially misleading posts, a move aimed at promoting free expression. This significant policy shift has raised concerns among experts about the potential increase in misinformation and hate speech on Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, as the company prepares for a new political landscape under the upcoming Trump presidency. (Photo illustration by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Under the proposed settlement, teens would receive a default two-hour daily time limit that only a parent can lift, along with a block on overnight use between midnight and 6 a.m. The deal would also restrict push notifications during weekday school hours and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The settlement resolves claims that Meta designed its platforms in ways that could drive compulsive use among children and teens. Meta denied the allegations but agreed to make major changes to how its platforms work.
FILE – People talk near a Meta sign outside of the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
In Bakersfield, some parents said their concerns center on what children could be exposed to online. “People disguise themselves to be adults, and they’re not adults, and there’s a lot of predators,” said Kayla Tillman.
Others said their biggest worry is the amount of time kids spend scrolling. “Get off your phones. Get out and play some sports. Get into other activities,” said Michael Papasergia.
FILE – In this photo illustration, the Facebook, Instagram, and Threads applications are seen on a phone on January 08, 2025 in Santa Rosa, Philippines. (Photo illustration by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Asked whether the new rules ease fears about children and social media, Tillman was skeptical. “I think they’ll try to find some way around it,” she said. Tillman, a parent of two, said she has been told to let her kids have social media but to use a teen account with restrictions, though she would rather her children wait until they are older.
Concerns about youth and social media are longstanding, Papasergia said, and the impact can spill into daily life. “Your attention span, your ability to socialize and get along with other people, your ability to communicate,” he said.