Facebook VP Suggests a Fix: a Prompt Urging Teen Instagram Users to 'Take a Break'

"Facebook is trying to mend its reputation in the wake of whisleblower Frances Haugen's testimony," reports Engadget, "and that includes promises of features lessening the potential harm for teens." CNN and Reuters report that Facebook Global Affairs VP Nick Clegg promised Instagram would introduce a "take a break" feature that encouraged teens to simply stop using the social network for a while. Clegg didn't say when it would be ready, but this was clearly meant to reduce addiction and other unhealthy behavior. The social media exec also said Facebook would "nudge" teens away from material in its apps that "may not be conducive to their well-being." He didn't provide specifics for this new approach. He did, however, suggest that Facebook's algorithms should be "held to account," including by regulation if needed, to be sure real-world results matched intentions... Breaks and nudges may reduce exposure to harmful content, but they won't remove the content in question. Clegg's statements also reflect a familiar strategy at Facebook. It likes to invite regulation, but only the regulation it's comfortable with. While the proposed changes could help, politicians may demand more — in part to prevent Facebook from dictating its own regulation. According to Reuters, Clegg also "said he could not answer the question whether its algorithms amplified the voices of people who had attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6th."

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