Meta, the behemoth behind Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay up to $18bn to settle claims that its platforms have harmed children. This monumental sum, to be distributed over a decade, is the company's largest payment for child safety issues to date. The agreement, approved by a California judge, involves 48 states, the District of Columbia, and three US territories, aiming to implement stricter safety measures on the platforms.

The settlement does not absolve Meta of wrongdoing, but it does include significant changes: default daily time limits, night-time blocks, and more. These include a two-hour daily cap for teens, hidden likes, and a mute during school hours, among others. The company's legal chief, CJ Mahoney, asserts that these new safety features will empower parents to manage their children's usage. However, the case highlights how Meta's internal communications suggested a lack of enthusiasm for some of these very features, with one former researcher stating that a 'quiet mode' feature was stymied due to potential legal risks.

Meta's defence was that it had always worked on teen safety, but the trial exposed the stark reality of the company's internal struggles. The settlement is seen as a blueprint for other tech giants, with the California Attorney General urging other platforms like TikTok and YouTube to follow suit. If they don't, his office threatens to take further action, ensuring that the industry addresses the safety concerns of its youngest users.