Will Meta's Changes Help Teens' Mental Health?

Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, reached a major legal settlement this week over claims that its apps hurt the mental health of young users. As part of the deal, Meta announced new rules for people under 18. These include a two-hour daily time limit, restrictions during nighttime and school hours, and a ban on certain filters that change how faces and bodies look. Many experts welcomed the news, but some said the changes may not solve the deeper problems teens face online.

Jacqueline Nesi, a doctor who studies mental health at Brown University, said it can be tempting to think the settlement will 'solve the problem' for teens. But she warned that the link between social media and mental health is more complicated than people often think. Research shows that technology can take up a lot of young people's time, sometimes getting in the way of sleep, exercise, and spending time with friends. Still, Dr. Nesi said the idea that social media is the main cause of mental health problems 'is just not supported with the research.'

Many experts agreed the settlement was still a big symbolic win. Sonia Livingstone, a professor in London, said the new rules send 'a powerful message' that apps like Instagram carry real risks. Candice Odgers, a professor in California, said the deal would force Meta to make its platforms safer — something experts have wanted for a long time. She added that unless other companies like TikTok and YouTube make similar changes, teens can just switch to those apps instead.

Sleep is one area where experts see a clear connection to teen well-being. Dr. Nesi said many teens are using social media in ways that hurt their sleep, and poor sleep can lead to anxiety and depression over time. Under the new rules, teens will not be able to use Facebook or Instagram between midnight and 6 a.m. However, Dr. Nesi said it is still 'an open question' whether these limits will actually help teens get more sleep.

Sophia Choukas-Bradley, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, said features like infinite scrolling and auto-playing videos are designed to keep teens watching longer. These features make teens feel like a reward might be just around the corner, making it hard to stop. Under the new rules, teens will be able to turn off auto-play and will get reminders after 15 minutes of non-stop screen time. Dr. Choukas-Bradley also said removing certain cosmetic filters will help teens stop comparing themselves to impossible beauty standards.

Jennifer Riggle, a school psychologist in Wisconsin, said her goal is not to keep her children away from technology but to teach them to use it wisely. She said time limits are helpful but are a 'blunt measure.' Two hours of video chatting with a grandparent is very different from two hours of mindless scrolling, she explained. Her 6-year-old has even learned to turn off Netflix when an episode ends — a small but meaningful step toward healthier habits.