After a lengthy legal battle, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has reached an agreement with a group of 52 attorneys general to impose a strict two-hour daily usage limit for teen users in almost all US states, as well as all US territories and the District of Columbia. Meta will also pay approximately $18 billion in a settlement over child-safety concerns to 48 states. The agreement was reached in late August 2026, and the restrictions are expected to roll out within the next six months. Not all states are participating, as Florida and New Mexico chose not to sign the agreement to continue litigating their cases against Meta independently.
Key takeaways
- Meta has struck an agreement with 52 attorneys general leading to a strict default two-hour daily usage limit on Instagram and Facebook for teen users in almost all US states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
- The agreement will block app access at night by default, mute notifications during school hours, send continuous-use alerts every 15 minutes, strengthen parental controls, improve age verification, and hide like and reaction counts by default.
- Meta will also pay approximately $18 billion in a settlement, with about 70 percent guaranteed and the remaining 30 percent contingent on TikTok and YouTube adopting similar restrictions.
- Florida and New Mexico chose not to join the agreement and will continue litigating their cases against Meta independently.
Will YouTube and TikTok follow suit?
Meta’s $18 billion payout to the affected states depends on other high-profile online entertainment platforms adopting similar restrictions. Meta argues that if only Facebook and Instagram impose a strict daily limit, teenagers will simply switch to apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, or YouTube. In an open letter to Big Tech, Meta invited other high-profile platforms to join them. The participating states will receive about 70% of the $18 billion over the next ten years, while they can receive the remaining 30% if and when TikTok and YouTube agree to implement similar concessions.
What other child-protection features will be added to Facebook and Instagram?
Apart from the two-hour daily limit, Meta has also agreed to turn off access to their apps at night by default and to stop app notifications during school hours. Teenagers using the apps will also see alerts notifying them of continuous screen time every 15 minutes. Both Facebook and Instagram will also have additional parental supervision controls that would let parents decide how their kids use the apps. Meta must also implement an age-identification system and improved age-assurance frameworks. It is not yet clear whether Meta will handle age verification itself or require teens to use a third-party tool. Teenagers on Facebook and Instagram also won’t be able to see the number of likes and reactions to a post – Meta will hide both their own and other users’ reaction counts by default.
Can parents and legal guardians impose a two-hour social media time limit now?
This isn’t possible within the apps, but parents can limit their kids’ social media and overall device usage in other ways. Depending on the smartphone/tablet they use, parents can use built-in tools such as Apple Screen Time for iPhones or Google Family Link on Android devices. Antivirus software solutions also often include parental controls that offer even better customization options, such as blocking access to age-inappropriate content and monitoring/blocking specific apps or games installed on the child’s device. Often, anti-malware solutions with parental controls also include real-time device location and geofencing features that set safe areas with entry/exit alerts.
Legal pressure has been mounting not only on Meta but on all social media and entertainment tech giants that serve teenagers. Over the years, Big Tech has received countless lawsuits alleging companies intentionally design apps to be engaging and even addictive, all at the expense of children’s safety and mental health. After years of lawsuits and massive profits, similar restrictions are now beginning to appear across the industry.