Meta could soon face major changes on Instagram and Facebook. A US trial has put the way young people use social media under fresh focus. One possible change stands out: Instagram and Facebook likes could be removed for users under 18.
Meta under a major legal test
As reported by Reuters, 29 US states are suing Meta over claims that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that kept young users online for longer. The states also say the company did not do enough to protect children and wrongly collected data from users under 13. Meta has rejected the claims. The tech giant says the states have not shown a clear link between its apps and poor well-being among young people. Its lawyers also argue that the demands from the states are too broad.
The case is being heard in a federal court in Oakland, California. The jury will give an advisory verdict, but the final decision will be made by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. She could order fines and changes to the way Meta’s apps work. The prosecution wants to include limits for younger users and action against features that may keep people scrolling for longer.
Could Instagram remove likes for users under 18?
One of the most notable ideas is removing likes for younger users. As reported by BBC, California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey want Meta to remove likes and infinite scroll from Facebook and Instagram. They also want stronger limits for young users and better steps to keep children under 13 off the apps. This does not mean Instagram is removing likes for all users under 18 right now. It is one of the changes being sought in the case. Any final change would depend on the judge’s decision.
The idea is based on concern about how social media works for younger users. Likes can act as a quick sign of approval. A post with many likes may seem more popular. A post with very few may feel less valued. The states argue that such design choices can push young users to spend more time on the apps. The case could lead to changes in some of Instagram’s key features as the court looks at the effect of its design on children and teenagers.
What is next for Meta apps?
The trial could last around five to six weeks. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify, along with current and former employees and outside experts. The case also comes after other legal action against Meta. As reported by NDTV, a New Mexico judge recently ordered the company to pay hundreds of millions of dollars and make changes aimed at protecting young users.
For Instagram users, the key point is simple. Nothing has been decided yet, likes may stay, or they may be hidden for younger users. Other parts of the apps could also change. The case could still become one of the biggest tests of how social media companies design products for children.
Author’s Opinion
Hiding likes may reduce some pressure on young users, but it is not a complete fix. Social media is shaped by many things, not one feature. Still, this trial could push tech firms and businesses to think more carefully about how their apps affect younger people.
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