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Meta's new screen time and access rules for teenage users

Level
b1
Topic
technology

Read this at a different level:b2c1

Fourteen-year-old Daniela loves scrolling through Instagram after dinner. Last month, her older sister told her that Meta has agreed to make big changes to Instagram and Facebook for teenage users. Daniela was curious, so she looked into it.

She found out that two important new rules are now applied to younger users. First, teenagers are not allowed to use these platforms late at night. Second, access is restricted during school hours. Daniela said that she was surprised by the school-hours rule. She has always used her phone between lessons. If these rules are applied strictly, she will have to change her habits.

Daniela also read that researchers and child advocates have praised the new measures. They believe the changes are good for young people's health and focus. Daniela thinks they might be right. She has noticed that she often feels tired after spending too much time online at night. If she used her phone less in the evenings, she would probably sleep better.

Some of Daniela's friends say the rules feel strict. Others think the idea makes sense. Daniela is not sure yet. But she said that she is willing to try. She believes that good habits are built slowly, and a small change can sometimes make a big difference.

Highlighted sentences show the grammar focus structure.

Key Vocabulary

  • scroll

    /skroʊl/

    To move up or down through content on a screen by sliding your finger or using a mouse.

    She spent an hour scrolling through photos on her phone before she finally put it down.

  • restrict

    /rɪˈstrɪkt/

    To limit something or stop people from doing something freely.

    The gym restricts access to the swimming pool after 9 p.m.

  • advocate

    /ˈædvəkɪt/

    A person who supports a cause or speaks up for the rights of a particular group of people.

    The health advocate gave a talk at the school about the importance of eating well.

  • praise

    /preɪz/

    To say that someone or something is very good or has done something well.

    The teacher praised the students for working so hard on their project.

  • habit

    /ˈhæbɪt/

    Something that you do regularly, often without thinking about it.

    He has a habit of drinking a glass of water every morning before breakfast.

  • willing

    /ˈwɪlɪŋ/

    Ready and happy to do something without being forced.

    My brother is always willing to help me with my homework when I don't understand something.

Grammar Spotlight

Passive Voice — Present Simple

is / are + past participle

When do we use it?

  • Use it when the action matters more than who does it — e.g. rules, laws, or processes that affect people.
  • Use it when the person or company doing the action is unknown, obvious, or not important to mention.
  • Use it to sound more formal or neutral, especially when describing systems, policies, or changes.

How is it formed?

Subject+is / are+past participle

Use 'is' for singular subjects, 'are' for plural subjects

★Focus on what happens, not who does it.

See it in action

  1. New rules are applied to protect teenage users on social media.

  2. Instagram is used by millions of teenagers every day.

  3. Personal data is collected by apps like Instagram and Facebook.

  4. Big changes are made to protect young people online.

Remember this

Active Voice

  • •Meta applies new rules to Instagram.
  • •An algorithm shows teenagers certain content.
  • •Developers update the app regularly.

Passive Voice (Present Simple)

  • •New rules are applied to Instagram.
  • •Certain content is shown to teenagers.
  • •The app is updated regularly.

Switch to passive when the action or result is more important than who performs it — the 'doer' can be omitted or added with 'by'.

Discussion Questions

  1. 1.

    Do you use your phone a lot before going to sleep? How does it affect how you feel the next morning?

  2. 2.

    In your country, are there any rules about young people using phones at school or at home? Do you think those rules are a good idea?

  3. 3.

    What do you think is a good habit to have in the evening? Is it easy or difficult to build that habit in your daily life?

Comprehension Questions

  1. 1.

    Why was Daniela curious about the changes to Instagram and Facebook?

  2. 2.

    What are the two new rules that now apply to younger users of Instagram and Facebook?

  3. 3.

    Who has praised the new measures, and why do they support them?

  4. 4.

    How has spending too much time online at night affected Daniela?

  5. 5.

    Do all of Daniela's friends feel the same way about the new rules?

View answers for the comprehension questions
  1. 1.Daniela was curious because her older sister told her that Meta had agreed to make big changes to these platforms for teenage users, so she decided to look into it herself.
  2. 2.The two new rules are that teenagers are not allowed to use these platforms late at night, and access is restricted during school hours.
  3. 3.Researchers and child advocates have praised the new measures. They believe the changes are good for young people's health and focus.
  4. 4.Daniela has noticed that she often feels tired after spending too much time online at night, which suggests the habit is affecting her sleep.
  5. 5.No, her friends have different opinions. Some think the rules feel strict, while others think the idea makes sense.

Test your knowledge

Question 1Fill-in-the-blank

The library has a rule to ____ the number of books you can borrow at one time.

Question 2Fill-in-the-blank

She works as an ____ for people who cannot speak for themselves in difficult situations.

Question 3Fill-in-the-blank

The teacher stopped to ____ the student for doing such careful and detailed work.

Question 4Fill-in-the-blank

He wakes up early every day because it has become a natural ____.

View answers for test your knowledge
  1. 1.restrict
  2. 2.advocate
  3. 3.praise
  4. 4.habit

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