Bakersfield parents weigh in as Meta adds parental controls and age checks for teens

by Michelle Roldan, Eyewitness News - BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Meta has agreed to a multibillion-dollar settlement with states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram harmed children and teens. This deal introduces new protections for users under 18, including a default two-hour daily time limit that can only be lifted by a parent, a block on overnight use between midnight and 6 a.m., and restrictions on push notifications during weekday school hours and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The settlement resolves claims that Meta designed its platforms to drive compulsive use among children and teens. Meta denied the allegations but agreed to these major changes. In Bakersfield, some parents expressed concerns about online safety, mentioning risks of predators and excessive screen time. Kayla Tillman, a parent of two, said she worries about children being exposed to inappropriate content and fears the new rules may not fully address these issues. Michael Papasergia echoed these concerns, highlighting broader impacts on attention spans and social skills. Tillman also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new restrictions, preferring her children to wait until they are older before using social media.