cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/51177007
Think the roughly $18 Billion Meta has settled for over child safety is a slap on the wrist?
Wait until you see the actual details: ๐ Paid in annual installments over a 10-year period
๐ States receive the money, not the victims
๐ค 30% will only be paid if YouTube & TikTok:
"...pay an amount matching the 30% figure "...implement a one-hour Daily Limit, Night Mode, and age assurance measures"
https://about.fb.com/news/2026/08/agreement-with-state-attorneys-general-supporting-teens/
Meta even wrote a wonderfully open letter to their competitors!
Sadly now everyone will have to verify themselves, too bad for Meta, now they will have to collect even more data - which we know they totally oppose and hate ;)
The impact of social media on young minds has been shown to be quite pernicious. We need to limit screen time for young adults so we don't end up with another generation of tablet kids who are socially stunted and encounter difficulties interacting with coworkers when they enter the job market.
Genuinely what of the damage to our parents generation? They are susceptible to dangers and manipulation and other dangers on social media. If we all agree that social media is probably a bit shit - shit enough that we should protect children from its harm - then why should we not enact some protections for everyone else too?
Baby steps. The political will isn't there yet. First you ban it for kids who are the most vulnerable as their brains are not fully mature. Do the most good you can in a limited world