Snapchat’s boss says his company would be “willing to implement” daily time limits for teen users, a move that comes as Snap reveals new features for its upcoming Specs glasses.
Evan Spiegel told the BBC that Snap is open to adding controls, though he stopped short of giving a timeline. The comments follow a broader push from Meta, which recently settled a multi-billion dollar lawsuit with US states over claims its apps were designed to be addictive to young users.
Meta’s Settlement and the Two-Hour Limit
Meta agreed to a $12.7bn settlement with Instagram and Facebook-parent Meta, and both platforms now enforce a two-hour daily limit for teen users by default. As part of that August settlement, Meta agreed to pay an additional $5.3bn if YouTube and TikTok adopt similar limits.
Meta’s spokesperson said last month the company was hopeful Snap would make similar platform changes. Spiegel’s response to the BBC was direct but cautious.
Spiegel’s Words on Time Limits
When asked directly about a default time limit, Spiegel said: “I think that’s a really good example of something that that we’d be willing to implement.” He added: “I don’t have more to share today” when asked about a timeline.
Spiegel also pointed to existing tools. Snap already offers features through its Family Center, which lets parents monitor teen activity.
The Specs Announcement
Snap is rolling out new features for its Specs glasses, which will retail at $2,195 in the US and £1,995 in the UK. The glasses come with several key features:
- No facial recognition to identify people
- A white light that flashes above the user’s nose when recording video or taking a photo
Who Has Not Responded
Neither YouTube-parent Google nor TikTok responded to the BBC’s request for comment on whether they plan to implement the settlement measures. YouTube’s parent company said it had no comment.
Comparison of Time Limits Across Platforms
| Platform | Time Limit Status |
|---|---|
| Instagram / Facebook-parent Meta | Two-hour limit enforced by default |
| Snapchat | “Willing to implement,” no timeline given |
| TikTok | Not responding to BBC request |
| YouTube | Not responding to BBC request |
The Bottom Line
Spiegel’s comments are a step. Whether Snap follows through depends on what the company decides next.
For now, the company is willing, but not yet committed.
The glasses announcement is a separate story, but it sits in the same week as the safety discussion. Snap is telling the BBC it is thinking about teen safety while also launching a new consumer product.
The question is whether Snap actually implements the limits, and if so, when.
Who is protecting what
The practical effect is clear: Meta gets to tell the world it is leading the industry on teen safety, while Snap stays vague enough to avoid committing to a specific limit or deadline. The settlement terms put pressure on YouTube and TikTok, and Snap’s Spiegel says his company would be “willing to implement” time limits without ever giving a timeline.
The paper suspects Meta wants the spotlight on its own settlement deal, and that Snap is happy to nod along without committing to anything specific. Ask yourself why a company would agree to something only “willing to implement” and never commit to a timeline — the practical effect is that the company avoids being held to account for a specific limit or deadline.
Snap’s new Specs glasses launch adds another layer: a new consumer product announced in the same week as the safety discussion. The paper does not take sides, but it watches the game.
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