Progress on Kid-safe Social Media: Will AI Follow Suit?

WHO:

Fast Company - Kristin Bride, a parent advocate for social media reform.

Fast Company - Dr. Dana Suskind, a professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of Chicago.

Fast Company - Sarah Kreps, a professor and director of Cornell University’s Tech Policy Institute.

Fast Company - Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and author of "The Anxious Generation."

AP - The Trump administration.

WHAT:

Fast Company - U.S. states reached an accord on social media safeguards for kids, described as a turning point for child safety.

Fast Company - Meta agreed to changes to its social media platforms in an $18 billion settlement.

Fast Company - OpenAI introduced teen accounts in August, with restrictions including a ban on romantic chats.

Fast Company - 64% of U.S. teens have used AI chatbots, according to the Pew Research Center.

Fast Company - 47% of teens have used chatbots for fun, and 42% have used them to summarize an article, book, or video.

Fast Company - 12% of teens have sought emotional support or advice from chatbots.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The discussions and actions regarding social media and AI safety are taking place in the U.S.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Meta did not launch teen accounts on Instagram until 2024.

Fast Company - OpenAI launched ChatGPT approximately four years prior to the introduction of teen accounts.

WHY:

Fast Company - The accord on social media safety was motivated by concerns over the mental health impacts of platforms like Instagram and TikTok on children.

Fast Company - Advocates emphasize the need to act sooner on mitigating AI's harms for kids, learning from past experiences with social media.

HOW:

Fast Company - AI companies are rolling out safety features similar to those introduced by social media companies, including age assurance measures and restricted experiences for minors.

Fast Company - Legal and legislative campaigns are underway to address safety issues related to both social media and AI for children.

(UPDATED October 5, 2026 18:04 UTC)

In a significant development for child safety, U.S. states have reached an accord on social media safeguards, marking a pivotal moment in addressing concerns over the mental health impacts of platforms like Instagram and TikTok on children. Meta has agreed to implement changes to its social media platforms as part of an $18 billion settlement, while AI companies are introducing safety features, including age assurance measures and restricted experiences for minors. Advocates stress the urgency of acting on AI's potential harms to kids, drawing lessons from past experiences with social media.