Key facts
- South Korea's media regulator wants Meta's youth protection measures applied globally.
- Meta reached a settlement with U.S. states over social media harm to teenagers.
- The settlement includes a default two-hour daily limit on Facebook and Instagram for users under 18.
- Australia has a ban on social media for those under 16, but enforcement has been patchy.
- Poland is seeking a €250 million fine against Meta from the European Commission.
Meta's recent settlement with nearly all U.S. states over social media harm to teenagers has intensified a global push by governments to protect children online. The up to $18 billion agreement, which includes a default two-hour daily limit on Facebook and Instagram for users under 18, has prompted regulators worldwide to demand similar protections be applied universally.
Australian regulators highlighted that Meta possesses the capability to safeguard young users from addictive features but has not consistently done so. Australia's own world-leading ban on social media for those under 16 has faced challenges, with studies indicating that 80% of minors continued to access platforms months after its implementation due to weak age-verification systems.
In parallel, Poland's digital affairs minister has requested the European Commission impose a €250 million fine on Meta and urged the company to eliminate scams and illegal advertising. The Philippines is also engaging with Meta regarding issues such as online child exploitation and financial scams targeting its citizens.
South Korea's media regulator specifically called for Meta's youth protection measures to be applied globally, rather than being confined to specific markets. Meanwhile, law firms in Australia are exploring potential class actions against Meta, similar to those in the U.S., concerning the design and operation of social media platforms and their impact on children.