- Enhanced Privacy Features: Instagram will automatically set accounts for users under 18 to private, preventing direct messages from non-followers and introducing a “Sleep Mode” to limit notifications overnight.
- Parental Controls: Updated tools will allow parents to see their teen’s recent messaging activity and frequently viewed topics, while younger users will need parental permission for changes to their account settings.
- Age Verification Efforts: Instagram is implementing AI-driven methods to better verify users’ ages and prevent minors from misrepresenting themselves, in response to ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers regarding teen safety online.
Instagram is introducing a new account type called “Teen Accounts” for users under 18, aiming to enhance safety and privacy on the platform. This change will impact millions of teenagers, as it automatically applies a range of protective measures to their accounts. All minor users will have private accounts by default, and features are designed to limit interactions with strangers, such as preventing direct messaging from non-followers. These measures are intended to foster a safer online environment for young users.
In addition to privacy settings, Instagram is implementing a “Sleep Mode” feature that silences notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM. This tool encourages teens to take breaks from the app during late hours, contributing to healthier usage patterns. Instagram is also refining its content recommendations, allowing teens to choose age-appropriate topics for their Explore page, such as sports or travel. Restrictions on content exposure in areas like Reels will continue, alongside reminders for users to take breaks from their screens.
To enhance parental oversight, Instagram is updating its parental control tools. Parents will have access to information about who their child has messaged in the past week, although they won’t see the actual message content. Additionally, parents can monitor the topics their teens frequently engage with. While users over 16 will have some autonomy to adjust settings, younger teens will need parental approval for any significant changes, including switching their account from private to public.
The rollout of Teen Accounts will occur gradually, first impacting new users in regions like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, followed by existing accounts within a week. Meta also plans to extend these features to the European Union later this year and across other platforms in 2025. This move aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to prioritize safety for younger users and address concerns raised by parents and lawmakers.
Despite these protective measures, concerns remain about the effectiveness of age verification on the platform. Meta acknowledges that some users may attempt to circumvent these safeguards by misrepresenting their age. To combat this, Instagram is exploring new methods of verification, including AI tools that analyze user interactions for age-related indicators. This multi-faceted approach aims to create a safer environment for teens while addressing the scrutiny faced by social media platforms regarding their impact on youth mental health. Lawmakers are increasingly advocating for stricter regulations and transparency in how platforms manage child safety online.
