Meta announced new limits for teenage users of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp on Wednesday as part of a $18 billion settlement with U.S. states. The restrictions include a daily two-hour usage cap, hidden like counts, disabled video autoplay, muted push notifications during school hours and a ban on extreme make-up filters. The company also updated its age verification process, expanded parental controls and agreed to an independent auditor to monitor implementation.

The settlement, which involves 48 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories, was reached after a lawsuit alleging that Meta designed its platforms to be addictive and violated children’s privacy laws. The agreement does not include an admission of fault.

Elizabeth Cardner said the measures might reduce arguments at home but are unlikely to solve long-term issues. Paige, her 14-year-old daughter, said the changes could promote more real-life interaction and hide like counts, but she expects teenagers to find new ways to alter content.

Andria Rose called the changes 'fantastic' yet said they do not address the underlying problem, noting her own sleeplessness from social media use. Joanie Story said the settlement’s financial terms are insufficient, describing them as 'throwing a couple of dollar bills at a problem.' Mark SooHoo, a founder of the Wait Until 8th campaign, said parents should sign a pledge delaying smartphone ownership until the end of eighth grade, arguing that a communal approach is needed.

The effectiveness of the new policies remains uncertain as other social media services have not matched Meta’s measures.