Snap Inc. has indicated it is prepared to introduce daily usage caps for adolescent users on Snapchat, according to an interview with BBC News. The statement comes as Meta intensifies pressure on rival social media platforms to adopt similar safeguards, following a landmark multi-billion dollar legal settlement in the United States.
Evan Spiegel, Snap’s chief executive, told the BBC from the company’s California headquarters that establishing a maximum screen time for younger users could serve as “an important step forward for the industry.” While he acknowledged that the company has considered the terms thoughtfully, he did not announce a specific timeline for implementing any new restrictions.
The comments follow a recent agreement between Meta and attorneys general from most US states. Meta agreed to pay $12.7 billion and enforce a default two-hour daily limit for teens across its Instagram and Facebook platforms, alongside muted notifications during school hours and nighttime blocks. Meta has denied any wrongdoing in the arrangement.
Under the terms of that settlement, Meta is set to receive an additional $5.3 billion if other major platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Snap, implement comparable measures. A Meta spokesperson expressed optimism last month that Snap would choose to make similar changes.
Snap has faced its own allegations regarding youth mental health and accusations that its platform facilitates illegal drug sales. When asked about the proposal for default time limits, Spiegel described it as a positive example of something the company would be open to adopting. He highlighted Snap’s existing Family Center feature, which allows parents to monitor teen activity, stating, “We want to figure out how we can be part of the solution.”
Google, the parent company of YouTube, declined to comment on whether it would adopt the settlement’s terms, and TikTok did not respond to requests for comment.
During the same interview, Spiegel unveiled new capabilities for Snap’s upcoming Specs smart glasses, which will be compatible with Apple iPhone and Mac devices. Priced at $2,195 in the US and £1,995 in the UK, the eyewear targets early tech adopters, developers, and enterprise users.
Spiegel explained that the device uses AI to provide personalized recommendations based on user goals and routines, aiming to bridge the gap between immersive VR headsets and lightweight AR glasses. The company emphasized that, unlike some competing products, Specs do not use facial recognition and feature a visible white LED indicator when recording to address privacy concerns surrounding smart eyewear.
Seems like Meta is just using legal pressure to crush competitors. Classic move, really.
Will these limits apply to Snap’s existing features too, or just new accounts created after the policy starts?
Wait, is that price for the glasses or just a typo? Two thousand dollars for sunglasses?
It is about time the tech giants took responsibility. Hope Snap actually follows through this time.