Meta Settles for $18B to Protect Teens | Science News

Meta’s facing a $18 billion settlement to resolve lawsuits from states accusing its platforms of harming kids—triggering sweeping new safety rules for minors, including daily time limits, nighttime locks, and school-hour notification bans. The company insists rivals like TikTok and YouTube must join the effort for real impact, even hinting at an extra $5.3 billion bonus if they do. While critics see this as a crucial step toward protecting youth online, others note the complexity: social media’s effects vary wildly, with some studies linking moderate use to better well-being. This deal, under watch by an independent auditor, is just one chapter in the ongoing debate over digital wellness. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/f90607784afb2b86