Facebook and Instagram Are About to Look Different for Kentucky and Indiana Teens

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion in a proposed settlement over claims that the tech giant deliberately designed its social media platforms to keep children and teens hooked.

And Kentucky, which helped take Meta to court over those allegations, is set to receive $358 million from the settlement. Indiana is guaranteed $296 million, but it could go as high as $419 million.

Considering the fact that 50 other states and territories will also get hefty sums from the settlement, you have to wonder about the two social behemoths and what changes may be coming.

Facebook and Instagram Will Look Different for Teens

Well, wonder no more. For starters, teens will have a default daily two-hour limit across Facebook and Instagram that only a parent can change. Meta will also interrupt extended scrolling with prompts after 15 minutes and silence most notifications during school hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. And between midnight and 6 a.m., access will be restricted, although messaging will remain available.

Other new features will include hiding "like" counts by default for younger users and a ban on image filters that simulate cosmetic procedures. They will also have the option of choosing a non-personalized feed rather than one driven by Meta's recommendation algorithms.

In the lawsuit, the states alleged that features like recommendation algorithms, "likes," infinite scrolling, and filters were designed to encourage compulsive use by young people. Meta has disputed claims that its platforms are harmful to children and has pointed to safeguards it has already introduced for younger users.

Look for these features to go into effect within the next four to six months.