Instagram has introduced a new feature called Teen Accounts aimed at creating a safer and more controlled social media environment for teenagers. This feature is part of Meta’s broader initiative to address concerns surrounding teen safety and parental control in digital spaces.
A Safer Experience for Teens
Instagram’s “Teen Accounts” prioritize safety and parental involvement. Designed to cater to users under 16 (and some features for those under 18), the feature ensures that teens can interact and explore while being shielded from inappropriate content and unwanted attention. Parents play a pivotal role in approving any changes to these settings, offering them a sense of reassurance.
Key Protections for Teen Accounts
Some of the protections include:
- Private Accounts by Default: Teen accounts will automatically be private, where only approved followers can see their content.
- Messaging Restrictions: Teens can only receive messages from people they follow, limiting unsolicited contact.
- Sensitive Content Control: Instagram will apply the highest content restrictions to minimize exposure to sensitive or harmful material.
- Limited Interactions: Only users that teens follow can tag or mention them. TThe anti-bullying feature, “Hidden Words,” will be enabled at its strictest setting.
- Time Management Tools: Teens will be reminded to take a break after 60 minutes of usage, and sleep mode will silence notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Parental Involvement for Teen Accounts
Parents have significant oversight in the teen account system:
- Permissions Required: Teens under 16 must obtain parental approval to modify any of the account’s settings or restrictions.
- Monitoring Features: Parents can view messaging activity (without seeing the content), set daily usage limits, block app access during certain times, and monitor the age-appropriate topics teens engage with.
Age Verification and Protections
To address potential misuse of age, Instagram will roll out stronger age verification technologies to ensure teens are placed in the appropriate account category.
Global Rollout
Meta will roll out Teen Accounts in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia beginning on September 17, 2024, with further expansion to the European Union and a global launch expected by January 2025.
This initiative reflects Meta’s increased focus on digital safety, combining tech-driven protections with parental involvement for a more secure social media environment for teens.