Meta has announced new Instagram accounts designed specifically for teenagers, featuring built-in safeguards to limit who can contact them and what content they can see. These accounts will also offer new ways for teens to explore their interests.
For users under 16 years old, parental permission will be required to adjust any of the default protections in place within these Teen Accounts.
Meta plans to roll out these accounts in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia over the next 60 days, with a global launch scheduled for January 2024. Other Meta platforms will follow suit in 2025.
The initiative aims to better support parents and provide them with peace of mind regarding their teens’ online safety. Meta stated, “We recognize parents are concerned that their teens might see mature or inappropriate content online, which is why we have stricter rules around the kinds of content teens see on our apps. We remove content that breaks our rules and avoid recommending potentially sensitive content—such as sexually suggestive content or discussions about suicide or self-harm.”
Teen users will have default private accounts, which apply to both new and existing users. Those under 16, as well as new users under 18, will need to approve new followers, and non-followers will not be able to view or interact with their content.
In addition, Instagram will enforce strict messaging settings, allowing messages only from people the teen follows or knows. Accounts will automatically limit exposure to sensitive content in the Explore and Reels sections. Teens will also receive reminders to log off after 60 minutes of daily use, and a sleep mode will be activated from 10 PM to 7 AM, muting notifications and sending auto-replies to direct messages.
Meta is implementing measures to verify users’ ages in more areas and is developing technology to identify teen accounts, even if users incorrectly list an adult birthday. This will ensure that teens receive the same protections as those in Teen Accounts.
Starting in January 2024, Meta will begin hiding search results related to sensitive topics such as suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, directing users instead to expert resources for help.
