US: Ban on children using Facebook and Instagram at night; Meta to make four major changes to its platforms..

Smartphone and social media addiction is becoming a serious mental health challenge for children today. Staying up late using smartphones and scrolling through Instagram Reels has become commonplace. However, the US has taken a very strict and historic step in this regard. Children and teenagers living there will no longer be able to use Facebook and Instagram at night. After a long legal battle with 48 US states, the tech giant Meta has agreed to a massive settlement worth $18 billion (approximately ₹1.72 lakh crore). Meta is required to implement four major changes on its platforms; under this settlement, the company must make several changes to its systems with immediate effect to ensure child safety. These key points outline the measures:

Daily Usage Limit:
A specific daily time limit for app usage will be set for children so that they do not remain engrossed in their phones for hours on end.

Nighttime Restriction:
Both apps will automatically be blocked for children during nighttime hours, ensuring they can get a full, uninterrupted night's sleep.

Age Verification:
A strict and accurate age verification system will be implemented to keep young children away from these platforms.

Parental Controls:
Parents will be provided with special features and tools that allow them to closely monitor their children's social media activities.

How was social media harming children?
According to court documents and various studies, the use of Facebook and Instagram was negatively affecting children's mental health in several ways.

Addictive Algorithms:
Allegations against Meta highlighted that the apps are designed in such a way that the cycle of constant notifications and 'likes' triggers the release of dopamine (the 'happiness hormone') in children's brains. This causes them to lose control over their screen time and leads to a harmful addiction.

Feelings of Inferiority and Dissatisfaction:
Seeing filtered, "perfect" photos on Instagram was causing children to compare their bodies, appearances, and lives with others, leading to feelings of inferiority.

Sleep Deprivation and Depression:
Staring at phone screens late into the night ("night scrolling") was completely disrupting children's sleep cycles. Chronic sleep deprivation of this kind often becomes a major cause of depression, anxiety, and a lack of concentration in studies.

Cyberbullying and the Fear of Missing Out:
Online trolling and the fear of missing out (FOMO) were severely damaging children's self-esteem—a trend that poses a significant risk to their mental development.

Company Avoids a Fine of ₹19 Lakh Crore:
Had Meta not reached this out-of-court settlement and lost the case, it could have faced a massive fine of approximately $200 billion (roughly ₹19 lakh crore), as demanded by US states. Under stricter laws, this figure could have even reached ₹133 lakh crore. Recognizing this risk, both parties deemed it prudent to settle the matter for $18 billion. However, while denying the allegations, Meta had argued in court that social media addiction is not a recognized mental illness.

Will These Rules Apply to Indian Users Too?
For now, these restrictions have been implemented only in the US. However, global companies like Meta often gradually roll out new safety features worldwide. Consequently, there is a strong possibility that safety features such as night mode, time limits, and stricter age verification will eventually appear in the app in India as well.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.