Meta's new Instagram and Facebook policies for under 18s — including time limits and non-algorithmic feed options — will only apply in the US as part of a settlement in a high-profile child safety lawsuit. The measures include a two-hour default time limit on Facebook and Instagram for under 18s and a nighttime block on the apps, with parents able to adjust restrictions. Meta agreed to these changes to settle claims from dozens of states over children's privacy and social media addiction, paying up to $18 billion.

The UK government, led by Pat Mc Fadden, has expressed interest in similar protections, expecting Meta to apply the same rules in the UK. "We don't want a situation where young people in America have got a higher rate of protection than young people in the UK," Mc Fadden told Sky News. The UK is among several jurisdictions considering bans on social media for under 16s.

A Meta spokesperson told Bloomberg the company will monitor the changes and remain in conversation with governments elsewhere. Critics argue Meta is attempting to set industry standards without admitting wrongdoing, noting the company's own 2021 research indicating Instagram was harmful to teens. By limiting enforcement to the US, Meta appears to balance child safety with maintaining engagement levels globally.