Introduction
On September 17, 2024, Common Sense Media issued a statement regarding Meta's announcement of new safety features for teen accounts. These features include automatic privacy settings for teen accounts, ensuring that teens can only be messaged or tagged by people they follow. Common Sense Media's Founder and CEO, James P. Steyer, emphasized the importance of these features, stating that they are long overdue and should have been implemented earlier to protect young users online. The statement also critiques Meta's timing, suggesting that the announcement is a reaction to legislative pressures rather than a genuine commitment to user safety. Common Sense Media advocates for immediate federal protections for children online, highlighting the need for accountability from tech companies.