Meta has agreed to roll out a broad set of safety measures for users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook as part of a settlement with 29 U.S. states. The company says the changes will automatically apply in participating states and territories, subject to judicial approval, and most of the protections are expected to remain in place for 10 years.
What changes for teen users
Among the key updates is a two-hour daily limit for teenagers across both apps, with the total time counted together. Once that limit is reached, access will be paused unless a parent gives permission to extend it. Meta is also adding a default Night Mode that blocks access between midnight and 6 a.m.
Teens will receive reminders after every 15 minutes of continuous use, while notifications will be muted during school hours, set by Meta as 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for direct messages and essential safety alerts. The company is also introducing a default option for a non-personalized feed, giving parents and guardians more control over how content is presented.
Other updates include the ability to turn off autoplay, hide like and reaction counts by default, and block certain beauty filters, including extreme makeup effects. Meta also says it is improving age-detection systems to better identify users aged 13 to 17, even when an adult birth date is entered.
The company has also called on TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar standards, arguing that consistent safeguards across platforms would better support families and teens. Meta says its approach is designed to make digital spaces more intentional, balanced, and age-appropriate.
As platforms continue refining youth protections, these changes may help shape a more responsible digital environment for the next generation.
