Meta has agreed to a settlement in a case accusing its social media platforms of contributing to youth addiction, while also making changes to how its platforms operate.
The case focused on allegations that Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, were designed in ways that could encourage young users to spend excessive amounts of time on them and potentially harm their mental wellbeing.
As part of the settlement, Meta has agreed to certain changes intended to provide greater protections for young users. The company has continued to dispute some of the allegations but has agreed to resolve the case rather than continue the legal battle.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of major social media companies over their impact on children and teenagers. Lawmakers, parents and advocacy groups have increasingly called for stronger safeguards against addictive platform features and harmful online content.
The settlement could also influence how other technology companies approach the design and regulation of social media platforms used by young people.