Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Tech Impact and Policy Center and the Stanford Social Media Lab, was interviewed for a new Spotlight on America report on what's next after Meta's multistate settlement over harms to young users.

In the segment, Hancock talks about his work consulting with Australia on its first-of-its-kind ban on social media accounts for kids under 16. He notes that three months in, the number of kids with accounts fell by about 20%, though he says there's still more work to do.

Hancock points out that a law requiring age verification would have been "an untouchable conversation even two years ago." He also explains what sets Australia's approach apart: the responsibility falls on the platforms, not on young people or their families. "This is all on the companies," he says.

The report comes as 47 U.S. states have agreed to a settlement requiring Meta to pay up to $17 billion over the next decade and add new safeguards for young users. The settlement also sets up an independent auditor with access to Meta's data and algorithms. Meta denies wrongdoing. 

Watch the full segment below:

Read the full story from The National Desk: States set to receive billions in social media settlement. How will they use it?