Snapchat Teen Time Limit Could Follow Meta’s New Push
Snapchat may introduce a default time limit for teenage users after CEO Evan Spiegel said the company would be willing to consider the measure. Speaking to the BBC at Snap’s California headquarters, Spiegel described a Snapchat teen time limit as a possible step toward establishing common standards across the social media industry.
Spiegel did not announce when any new restriction would begin. He said the company had discussed the idea internally but had no further details to share at this stage.
The discussion follows pressure from Meta, which has urged other major platforms to adopt similar protections for younger users. Meta recently agreed to a multi-billion-dollar legal settlement with US states and said it would introduce a two-hour daily limit for teenagers across Facebook and Instagram by default.
Under the agreement, Meta also committed to muted notifications during school hours, nighttime blocks and other measures designed to change how teenagers use its platforms.
The proposed Snapchat teen time limit comes as Snap prepares new features for its upcoming Specs glasses, including connections with Apple’s iPhone and Mac devices. The company already provides parental controls through Family Center, allowing parents to monitor certain aspects of their teenagers’ Snapchat activity.
A Snapchat teen time limit would put Snap closer to the measures Meta has agreed to introduce. Meta said it could impose stricter limits and pay another $5.3 billion if YouTube and TikTok also adopt similar restrictions.
The issue comes amid continuing legal pressure on social media companies. Meta, Snap, YouTube and TikTok have faced lawsuits alleging that their platforms contribute to problems affecting young users. Snap has separately faced accusations involving the use of its platform for illegal drug sales.
Spiegel said Snap wants to find ways to contribute to a broader solution, but the company has not committed to a specific policy or timetable.
The next step will depend on whether Snap turns its internal discussions into a formal policy. A Snapchat teen time limit could affect how families manage daily app use if the company adopts a default restriction.
Google, which owns YouTube, declined to comment on whether it would follow Meta’s approach, while TikTok did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
