Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snapchat, has indicated a willingness to introduce time limits for teenagers using the app, in response to a push from Meta for collective industry action. This follows Meta’s recent settlement requiring them to impose default daily time caps for teen users on their platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. This agreement was reached with US states, addressing allegations that Meta had designed its apps to be addictive for young audiences.
As part of the settlement concluded in August, Meta agreed to pay $12.7 billion and enforce a default two-hour daily limit for teen users, along with other measures like muted notifications during school hours. Meta’s compliance is conditional on fellow platforms, like YouTube and TikTok, implementing similar actions, with additional provisions for more extraordinary spending if these terms are matched by others. Meanwhile, Meta has been highlighting the substantial legal challenges faced by companies like Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok, accusing them of contributing to a youth mental health crisis.
In a recent discussion, Snapchat’s Spiegel expressed his support for establishing industry norms regarding app usage among teenagers, noting that this approach could be beneficial overall. Although exact timelines for implementing such changes within Snapchat were not provided, Spiegel acknowledged that it’s a topic of internal discussion within the company.
Moreover, Snap Inc. shared upcoming features for its Specs glasses, which are designed to be compatible with Apple devices. These smart glasses will incorporate AI technology to offer recommendations based on user goals and daily activities. At a cost of $2,195 in the US and £1,995 in the UK, Specs are targeted at technology enthusiasts and developers. Weighing in at 130 grams, the glasses aim to provide a balance between existing VR headsets and other smart glasses on the market. As a distinguishing feature, they include a visible recording indicator to ensure transparency during video recording, unlike Meta’s glasses, which have faced criticism for covert recording capabilities.
As the tech landscape evolves, companies like Snap continue to navigate the challenges of creating innovative products while addressing safety and privacy concerns. The introduction of time-control measures on social media platforms signifies an industry-wide move towards more responsible digital engagement. Meanwhile, the deployment of AI-driven smart glasses marks Snap’s ambitious step into new technological territory.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.