Meta is implementing new safeguards for teenage users, launching a feature called Limited Content that curbs exposure to posts about weightlifting, nutrition, and anxiety coping strategies. The move comes after two jury verdicts found the company responsible for compromising child safety online, including a $375 million penalty in New Mexico.
The Limited Content setting, announced Tuesday, will apply across Instagram and Facebook's Explore, Feed, and Reels sections. Meta acknowledged that such content 'can be helpful' but argued it 'should be balanced with other types of content rather than shown repeatedly.' The company is also expanding its Teen Account program—launched in 2024—to Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger worldwide.
Teen Accounts are private by default for users under 18, requiring manual approval for new followers and restricting messaging, tagging, and mentions to people they already follow. The content settings automatically hide material deemed inappropriate for teens and limit their ability to view links to harmful content or interact with accounts that primarily share it.
The policy shift follows a landmark New Mexico jury ruling last month that held Meta liable under the state's Unfair Practices Act, which bans deceptive business practices. A separate bench trial began Monday to review additional protections requested by New Mexico's attorney general for users under 18. In a related case, Meta and Google's YouTube were found negligent in platform design or operation.
Meta has also deployed artificial intelligence to better detect and remove users under 13, and is partnering with Alice, an AI safety assessment firm, to evaluate its Teen Account settings. These steps come as child safety groups push for broader federal oversight, including calls for the FTC to investigate platforms like Roblox.
Congress has struggled to pass comprehensive kids safety legislation, leaving courts as the primary avenue for accountability. The New Mexico verdict and ongoing litigation underscore the pressure on tech giants to address the impact of their platforms on young users. Meanwhile, the HHS has issued new screen time guidelines, recommending zero exposure for children under 18 months, adding to the regulatory landscape.
Meta's latest moves represent a significant expansion of its teen safety features, but critics argue they may not go far enough. The company faces continued scrutiny over its handling of harmful content, particularly as teens navigate sensitive topics like body image and mental health online.
