Meta Settlement Falls Short on Teen Mental Health Protections, Whistleblower Says
The deal requires time limits, parental controls and an optional non-algorithmic feed as critics say it still does not address the core harms.
- On Wednesday, Meta Platforms reached a settlement with a coalition of U.S. states to resolve child safety lawsuits, agreeing to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade. California Attorney General Rob Bonta declared the deal "will make social media less dangerous for our kids."
- The agreement follows lawsuits accusing Meta of designing addictive apps. Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar testified last week that the firm knowingly underreported teen harm, pushed harmful content, and failed to correctly adjudicate reports of child predation.
- Remedies include time limits and parental controls, measures Meta previously rejected in tests like "Project Daisy." Hiding like counts to prevent "negative social comparison" was considered in 2019, but tests showed daily user counts would fall by around 0.09%.
- Clinical psychologist Jane Conron noted that usage limits may help teens "emotionally overwhelmed by leaving the app." Although the deal avoids requiring Meta to acknowledge fault, Conron believes it might facilitate better conversations between parents and children.
- Bejar argued the settlement "does not meaningfully address harms" he described in court. Experts warn it could simply codify "safety theater," noting that Meta's ability to identify underage users remains limited, as Australia found 8 in 10 teens remain on social media despite bans.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Meta settlement falls short on teen mental health protections, whistleblower says
A whistleblower whose testimony helped build a child safety case against Meta Platforms said on Wednesday that the firm’s settlement with a coalition of U.S. states does not meaningfully address harms from social media
Meta settlement falls short on teen mental health protections, whistleblower says - Regional Media News
Aug 27 (Reuters) - A whistleblower whose testimony helped build a child safety case against Meta Platforms said on Wednesday that the firm's settlement with a coalition of U.S. states does not meaningfully address harms from social media that he described in court. Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar told a judge and eight jurors last week that the firm had knowingly underreported the frequency with which teens were harmed on its platforms,…
With the comparison that Meta has concluded, rights of use of minors are limited. The fact that the Group rejects any responsibility remains a problem
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