Tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has agreed to report child safety-related matters directly to India's cybercrime portal as the Centre steps up efforts to hold social media platforms accountable for protecting children online.&nbsp;A Meta spokesperson said on Tuesday (Sept 15) that the company remains committed to tackling online child exploitation and related crimes. The company said it would work with Indian authorities to strengthen its response to cases involving child safety.&nbsp;"Protecting children on our platforms is a priority for us, and we’re committed to working with the government to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held responsible," the Meta spokesperson said.&nbsp;"To collectively strengthen our efforts to combat this harm, Meta will now report child safety matters directly to the Cybercrime portal managed by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C)," the spokesperson added.&nbsp;The move is aimed at strengthening coordination between Meta and Indian authorities over child safety concerns and online crimes. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and works with law enforcement agencies on cybercrime prevention and response.<h2>Meta faces scrutiny over child safety</h2>The development comes amid growing government scrutiny of social media platforms over the safety of children online. Government sources said online safety for children is a fundamental requirement for social media platforms operating in India and described it as "non-negotiable".&nbsp;"Online safety of children is a fundamental principle for any social media platform to operate in India, and it is non-negotiable," the sources said.&nbsp;Meta representatives appeared before the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on September 9 after the child rights body summoned the company's Managing Director and Head of Meta India. The appearance was linked to an inquiry into alleged advertisements related to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material on Meta's platforms.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meta-reaches-16-7-billion-settlement-with-us-states-over-teen-safety-and-addictive-design-1787763018294">Meta reaches $16.7 billion settlement with US states over teen safety and addictive design</a><h2>Countries tighten social media rules for children</h2>In the United States, Meta agreed in August to a settlement worth up to $16.68 billion with 29 states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that contributed to harm among young users. The settlement also includes changes aimed at strengthening protections for children and teenagers. Meta has denied wrongdoing.&nbsp;Several countries have also moved to restrict children's access to social media or strengthen protections for young users. Australia has already introduced restrictions on social media access for children under 16, while other countries including France and the UK have considered measures targeting children's use of online platforms.&nbsp;The European Union is also preparing the EU Kids Act, which is expected to propose restrictions on access to social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games for children under 15. The proposed framework would introduce age-based access rules and require digital platforms to adopt stronger safety measures for children.&nbsp;The proposed EU rules would also seek to make digital services safer by design, including measures targeting features considered potentially addictive. However, the proposal would still have to go through the EU legislative process before becoming law.

Meta will report child safety matters directly to India's I4C cybercrime portal as governments in India, the US and Europe step up measures to make social media platforms safer for children.

Tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has agreed to report child safety-related matters directly to India's cybercrime portal as the Centre steps up efforts to hold social media platforms accountable for protecting children online. A Meta spokesperson said on Tuesday (Sept 15) that the company remains committed to tackling online child exploitation and related crimes. The company said it would work with Indian authorities to strengthen its response to cases involving child safety. "Protecting children on our platforms is a priority for us, and we’re committed to working with the government to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held responsible," the Meta spokesperson said. "To collectively strengthen our efforts to combat this harm, Meta will now report child safety matters directly to the Cybercrime portal managed by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C)," the spokesperson added. The move is aimed at strengthening coordination between Meta and Indian authorities over child safety concerns and online crimes. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and works with law enforcement agencies on cybercrime prevention and response. Meta faces scrutiny over child safety The development comes amid growing government scrutiny of social media platforms over the safety of children online. Government sources said online safety for children is a fundamental requirement for social media platforms operating in India and described it as "non-negotiable". "Online safety of children is a fundamental principle for any social media platform to operate in India, and it is non-negotiable," the sources said. Meta representatives appeared before the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on September 9 after the child rights body summoned the company's Managing Director and Head of Meta India. The appearance was linked to an inquiry into alleged advertisements related to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material on Meta's platforms. Also Read: Meta reaches $16.7 billion settlement with US states over teen safety and addictive design Countries tighten social media rules for children In the United States, Meta agreed in August to a settlement worth up to $16.68 billion with 29 states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that contributed to harm among young users. The settlement also includes changes aimed at strengthening protections for children and teenagers. Meta has denied wrongdoing. Several countries have also moved to restrict children's access to social media or strengthen protections for young users. Australia has already introduced restrictions on social media access for children under 16, while other countries including France and the UK have considered measures targeting children's use of online platforms. The European Union is also preparing the EU Kids Act, which is expected to propose restrictions on access to social media, video-sharing platforms, AI chatbots and online games for children under 15. The proposed framework would introduce age-based access rules and require digital platforms to adopt stronger safety measures for children. The proposed EU rules would also seek to make digital services safer by design, including measures targeting features considered potentially addictive. However, the proposal would still have to go through the EU legislative process before becoming law.

Meta will report child safety matters directly to India's I4C cybercrime portal as governments in India, the US and Europe step up measures to make social media platforms safer for children.

India tightens child safety rules: Meta agrees to report child sexual abuse cases

Meta has resolved a major child safety lawsuit in the US, including Facebook and Instagram, reaching an $18 billion settlement with 29 American states, with accusations that the platforms could harm children and teenagers. The case was brought by state attorneys general from 29 states, and the legal action related to the development was led by attorneys general from states including California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey. The states accused Meta of designing features that prompt children to scroll through the accounts on the app or website. They claimed that the social media giant Facebook and Instagram used features that were “harmful and psychologically manipulative” and were designed to keep young users spending more time on the platforms. The states additionally accused Meta of failing to adequately safeguard the privacy of minors, arguing the company violated privacy protections owed to children and teenage users across its platforms. A further central claim concerned how Meta reported on user experiences: the states alleged the company published reports that were "profoundly misleading," understating how often users on Instagram and Facebook encountered negative experiences.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2-3rd-of-glacier-detached-collapsed-isro-satellite-images-reveal-what-triggered-nepal-floods-1787808292941">2/3rd of glacier detached, collapsed: ISRO satellite images reveal what triggered Nepal floods</a><h3>What rules changed for children?</h3>Had the lawsuit proceeded to the maximum possible penalties, Meta could have faced a far steeper financial toll, as much as $1.4 trillion, according to The Wrap. Under the settlement, Meta must now implement new protections for teenage users, including daily time limits on platform use. Per the BBC, the court judgment mandates these restrictions. Meta will also be required to institute nighttime blackout periods restricting teens' access to Facebook and Instagram during certain hours. Notably, the settlement doesn't constitute an admission of guilt; Meta has denied the allegations and did not accept responsibility for the claims as part of the agreement. The case carries broader significance as a marker of mounting pressure on one of the world's largest social media companies over child-safety practices, and may serve as a template for how US states push social platforms toward stronger protections for younger users. The settlement unfolded after years of escalating concerns about children on social media. All the regulators and lawmakers have increasingly emphasised that Facebook and Instagram about enough protection of teenagers from harmful content, excessive screen time and privacy risks.

The US states claimed that the social media giant Facebook and Instagram used features that were “harmful and psychologically manipulative” and were designed to keep young users spending more time on the platforms.

Meta has resolved a major child safety lawsuit in the US, including Facebook and Instagram, reaching an $18 billion settlement with 29 American states, with accusations that the platforms could harm children and teenagers. The case was brought by state attorneys general from 29 states, and the legal action related to the development was led by attorneys general from states including California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey. The states accused Meta of designing features that prompt children to scroll through the accounts on the app or website. They claimed that the social media giant Facebook and Instagram used features that were “harmful and psychologically manipulative” and were designed to keep young users spending more time on the platforms. The states additionally accused Meta of failing to adequately safeguard the privacy of minors, arguing the company violated privacy protections owed to children and teenage users across its platforms. A further central claim concerned how Meta reported on user experiences: the states alleged the company published reports that were "profoundly misleading," understating how often users on Instagram and Facebook encountered negative experiences. Also read: 2/3rd of glacier detached, collapsed: ISRO satellite images reveal what triggered Nepal floods What rules changed for children? Had the lawsuit proceeded to the maximum possible penalties, Meta could have faced a far steeper financial toll, as much as $1.4 trillion, according to The Wrap. Under the settlement, Meta must now implement new protections for teenage users, including daily time limits on platform use. Per the BBC, the court judgment mandates these restrictions. Meta will also be required to institute nighttime blackout periods restricting teens' access to Facebook and Instagram during certain hours. Notably, the settlement doesn't constitute an admission of guilt; Meta has denied the allegations and did not accept responsibility for the claims as part of the agreement. The case carries broader significance as a marker of mounting pressure on one of the world's largest social media companies over child-safety practices, and may serve as a template for how US states push social platforms toward stronger protections for younger users. The settlement unfolded after years of escalating concerns about children on social media. All the regulators and lawmakers have increasingly emphasised that Facebook and Instagram about enough protection of teenagers from harmful content, excessive screen time and privacy risks.

The US states claimed that the social media giant Facebook and Instagram used features that were “harmful and psychologically manipulative” and were designed to keep young users spending more time on the platforms.

Meta reaches $18 bn settlement over child safety claims on Facebook, Instagram: Check new rules for teens

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India tightens child safety rules: Meta agrees to report child sexual abuse cases

Meta reaches $18 bn child safety deal: What changes for teens?