Meta agrees to big changes for Facebook and Instagram after lawsuit about teen addiction

Meta will add new safety rules for young people, like time limits on apps.

Published 26 August 2026 178 words
TECHNOLOGY A2
Meta agrees to big changes for Facebook and Instagram after lawsuit about teen addiction

Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to make important changes to its apps. This is because of a big lawsuit from many states in the US. The states said Meta’s social media apps were harmful to children and made them addicted.

The company will pay up to $18bn. Meta will also add new rules to protect younger users. These include setting daily time limits for using the apps. There will also be blocks to stop children from using them late at night.

This is the first time Meta has to change important parts of its apps for everyday users in the US. The lawsuit started because many states believed Meta designed its products to be addictive. They said this caused mental health problems like anxiety and depression in young people. Meta has denied any wrongdoing.

California’s attorney general said the settlement will make social media safer for children. He also said Meta will make big changes soon. These changes will include time limits and stopping notifications during school hours. There will also be a ban on filters that change how faces look.

Vocabulary

company — A business that buys and sells goods or services.
apps — Short for applications, these are computer programs for phones or tablets.
addicted — Unable to stop doing something, like using social media, even if it is bad.
lawsuit — A case where a group of people or a company takes another group or company to court.
protect — To keep someone or something safe from harm.
settlement — An agreement to end a disagreement or lawsuit.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did many US states sue Meta?
  2. What new rules will Meta add to protect young people on its apps?
  3. Do you think these changes will help young people use social media less?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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