Meta's New Limits on Young Users Draw Criticism from US Parents and Teens

Meta Platforms Inc. announced that it will implement a series of new restrictions on its social‑media apps as part of an $18 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged child‑safety violations. The settlement requires the company to adopt stricter age‑verification protocols, limit the visibility of certain content to users under 18, and provide parents with enhanced tools to monitor their children’s activity. Meta also agreed to conduct independent audits of its safety practices and to report quarterly on compliance with the settlement terms.

In a brief survey of families across the country, responses were mixed. Some parents welcomed the changes, noting that tighter controls could reduce exposure to harmful content and give them more confidence in the platform’s safety measures. Others expressed concern that the new age‑verification steps might be bypassed by tech‑savvy teens, and questioned whether the company’s monitoring tools would be sufficient to protect minors in real time. A few respondents highlighted the need for clearer communication from Meta about how the restrictions will be enforced and how parents can access the new monitoring features.

The settlement marks the largest civil penalty ever imposed on a technology company for child‑safety violations. Meta’s updated policies will take effect over the next several months, with the company pledging to cooperate fully with regulators and to adjust its practices as required by the court. The outcome underscores the growing scrutiny of social‑media platforms and the importance of safeguarding young users in an increasingly digital world.