Meta unveils Instagram and Facebook tools after $18B youth settlement
Meta just dropped a bunch of new features on Instagram and Facebook to help teens build healthier online habits.
These updates come after an $18 billion settlement over youth mental health and privacy, with the settlement payments to be paid out to participating jurisdictions over a 10-year timeline to support youth online safety programs and other state initiatives.
Meta adds night mode and nudges
The big one: Automatic Night Mode now blocks feeds, stories, and reels from midnight to 6am.
Notifications can be muted by default from 8:00am to 3:00pm but critical account security notices and direct messages will still go through.
Teens will get nudges if they scroll too long, first at 15 minutes, then again at 60 and 90 minutes.
Plus, teens and parents will be able to turn off video autoplay, like counts are hidden, and Meta's AI will work harder to spot under-13 accounts.
Meta said it has been implementing comprehensive behavioral, algorithmic, and privacy modifications designed to foster healthier screen habits and give parents better oversight.