Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snapchat, stated in an interview with the BBC that the company would be willing to implement daily time limits for teenage users. This consideration follows a call from Meta, which has been advocating for changes across social media platforms as part of a legal settlement with U.S. states. Spiegel mentioned that establishing a maximum time limit could be an important step for the industry.
During the interview at Snapchat's headquarters in California, Spiegel discussed new features for the company's upcoming Specs glasses, which are designed to connect with Apple devices. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, recently agreed to a $12.7 billion settlement that includes implementing a two-hour daily limit for teenagers on its platforms, along with other measures aimed at reducing app addiction among young users.
Spiegel expressed that identifying industry norms is beneficial and noted that Snapchat has tools available through its Family Center feature, allowing parents to monitor their teens' app usage. However, he did not provide a timeline for when Snapchat might implement such time limits.
In addition to discussing time limits, Spiegel introduced Snap's new Specs glasses, which will retail for $2,195 in the U.S. and £1,995 in the U.K. The glasses will utilize AI to provide personalized suggestions based on users' goals and routines. Spiegel emphasized that the Specs glasses are designed to be lightweight and user-friendly, differentiating them from other VR headsets and smart glasses on the market.
Snap's latest product comes after the company's previous venture into wearable technology, the Spectacles, which faced financial losses. The Specs glasses are designed with privacy considerations, including a visible light indicator that alerts those nearby when recording is taking place.
As the conversation around youth mental health and social media continues, Snap aims to be part of the solution while also innovating in the wearable tech space.