Socials Settlement

Social media is refreshing its timeline for teens.

Meta reached an ~$18B settlement with 52 attorneys general Wednesday, ending a historic federal trial over platforms’ alleged harm to teens. Facebook and Instagram denied wrongdoing but agreed to new default settings for underage users, some that only parents can toggle off:

• a two-hour daily time limit;
• apps blocked during “night mode” (midnight-6 am);
• no push notifications in “school mode” (8 am-3 pm);
• limits on “social comparison” features like likes and filters.

In a unique twist, Meta will only pay 70% of the settlement unless TikTok and YouTube set similar guardrails and pay ~$5.3B each. Meta’s competitors haven’t commented. See what your state stands to get.

The settlement leaves Meta exposed to future regulations and further lawsuits. New Mexico and Florida (which didn’t sign on because “the payouts are peanuts”) have sued separately. 

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Whether you’re 12 or 62, social media promises to feed your cravings for affirmation and connection but often leaves you hollow and adrift. But there is Someone whose eyes are always on you, who welcomes you into genuine sanctuary, and who follows through on His promise to anchor your soul. 

“Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)

Listen to TPO’s guided prayer about social media usage here.