Snapchat considers teen time limits after Meta deal
Snapchat open to putting time limits on teens, boss tells BBC
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Warm-up
- How much time do you spend on social media each day?
- What tools can help parents guide teens online?
- Have you tried any smart glasses or wearable tech?
Vocabulary
- implement
- to start using a plan or rule in a real and practical way
- settlement
- a legal agreement that ends a dispute, often with payment and actions
- default
- the normal setting that happens if a user does nothing
- muted
- made quiet or turned off so you do not get alerts or sounds
- stringent
- very strict and difficult to avoid or ignore
- timeline
- a planned period or date for when something will happen
- litigation
- the process of taking legal action in court
- addictive
- making people want to keep using something again and again
Reading
Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snap, told the BBC that the company would be willing to implement time limits for teen users of Snapchat. He said a maximum daily limit could be an important step for the industry.
His comments follow Meta's recent legal settlement with US states. Meta agreed to pay $12.7bn and, by default, set a two-hour daily limit for teens, with muted notifications during school hours and night-time blocks. It denied wrongdoing. Under the deal, it would add even more stringent limits and pay a further $5.3bn if YouTube and TikTok adopt similar rules.
Spiegel did not give a timeline. All the major platforms face litigation over allegations their apps are addictive and harm youth mental health.
Separately, Snap announced new Specs smart glasses with AI features, priced at $2,195 in the US and £1,995 in the UK.
Comprehension
- What change did Evan Spiegel say Snap is willing to consider for teens?
- What two key actions did Meta agree to in its settlement?
- How much extra would Meta pay if YouTube and TikTok follow the rules?
- Did Spiegel give a timeline for any changes at Snap?
- What are the US and UK prices for Snap’s new Specs?
Grammar focus
Present perfect vs past simple
Use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) for actions that connect to now; use the past simple for finished actions at a specific time. For example: "Meta has agreed to pay $12.7bn" vs "Meta agreed to pay $12.7bn". (Examples constructed.)
- Meta **agreed to pay $12.7bn** and, by default, set a two-hour daily limit for teens.
- It **denied wrongdoing**.
Grammar exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct verb form (present perfect or past simple).
- The company (implement) ___ time limits since January.
- Officials (say) ___ the measure yesterday.
- Platforms (face) ___ lawsuits last year.
- Some parents (notice) ___ changes to notifications recently.
- Companies (set) ___ daily limits this week.
Discussion
- Should social apps set default time limits for teens? Why or why not?
- Who should decide teen screen time: parents, platforms, or governments?
- Do time limits reduce harm, or do other tools work better?
- Would you try AI smart glasses at these prices? Why or why not?
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