In a recent interview, Snapchat’s CEO Evan Spiegel expressed the company’s openness to introducing daily usage limits for teenagers on the platform. This discussion comes in response to a push from Meta, which has already set similar restrictions as part of a legal settlement.
The Push for Time Limits
During a conversation at Snapchat’s headquarters in California, Spiegel noted the potential benefits of limiting the time teens spend on social media. He emphasized that such measures could represent significant progress for the industry, aligning with efforts to establish new norms.
This development follows Meta’s decision to implement a two-hour daily limit for teenagers across its platforms, a move agreed upon to settle a lawsuit with various US states. The lawsuit accused Meta of designing its apps to be addictive for young users.
Spiegel acknowledged Meta’s influence in the industry and mentioned that internal discussions about similar changes are ongoing at Snapchat. However, he did not specify a timeline for when these changes might be implemented.
Snapchat’s New Tech Innovations
Alongside discussions of time limits, Snap Inc, Snapchat’s parent company, unveiled new features for its upcoming Specs smart glasses. These glasses aim to integrate artificial intelligence to offer personalized recommendations based on users’ habits and preferences.
The Specs glasses are designed to provide an augmented reality experience by overlaying digital elements onto the physical world. Despite their innovative technology, they come with a hefty price tag of $2,195 in the US and £1,995 in the UK.
Snapchat’s Specs are part of the company’s attempt to create a new category of wearable technology, bridging the gap between VR headsets and more conventional AI glasses.
Privacy Concerns and Industry Reactions
Snapchat’s introduction of Specs arrives amid privacy concerns over similar products in the market. Meta’s smart glasses, for instance, have been criticized for their potential misuse, leading to privacy invasions.
To address these concerns, Snap has incorporated features into Specs that alert bystanders when the device is recording. This includes a visible white light that activates during recording, a step towards ensuring transparency and privacy.
Meta, facing backlash over privacy issues, has also taken measures to disable cameras on devices where tampering with the recording indicator was detected.
