Meta's massive settlement may not be enough to improve child safety, experts say
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Set us as preferred Over the last five years, efforts to make social networks Facebook and Instagram safer for young people have erupted across courts, classrooms and capitals.Now Meta Platforms, the parent company of the world’s most popular social networks, faces another big moment of reckoning.On Wednesday, Meta agreed to pay up to $17 billion over 10 years and make changes to Facebook and Instagram to try to make the platforms safer for teens and those younger.The settlement would resolve a multistate lawsuit that alleged Meta designed and deployed addictive features that harmed young people and misled the public about the potential dangers.
Business Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 statesAlthough politicians, advocacy groups and others applauded the settlement, the battle over child safety is far from over.Many are worried that social media continues to increase the risks of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bullying and other harms.“This is an industrywide problem,” California Atty.
Gen.Rob Bonta said at a news conference Wednesday.
“Meta is part of the industry, a major player in the industry, but there’s a bigger, bigger ecosystem.”Shielding children from harm on social media is complex, as teens use the platforms to chat with family and friends as well as for entertainment.Meanwhile, tech industry groups have sued to stop the enforcement of new child safety laws.
Every day, the technology continues to evolve, introducing new ways for people to interact with online content.It is still unclear whether artificial intelligence will do more to help or hinder efforts to create a healthier relationship with technology.
“These are really difficul...