Instagram is stepping up its game with a new feature designed to protect young users, introducing "Teen Accounts" that will automatically apply robust safety measures. Starting Tuesday, Instagram will convert all existing and future accounts held by teenagers into these newly designed Teen Accounts, aiming to provide a safer online environment.
This move follows significant scrutiny from lawmakers who criticized Instagram and other social networks for insufficient protections for younger users. Teen Accounts come with a suite of built-in safeguards, including restricted messaging capabilities and content filters, ensuring a more controlled and secure user experience.
Teens will now have to obtain parental consent to opt out of these safety features if they are under 16, a shift from previous policies that allowed them more freedom in adjusting their settings. This change is intended to address concerns that Instagram's prior measures were not as effective as they should be.
With Teen Accounts, Instagram will limit who can follow, tag, or mention teens. Users will only be able to interact with people they already follow or who are connected through other Meta platforms, such as Facebook or Messenger. Offensive language will be automatically filtered out from direct messages and comments, and sensitive content like violence or cosmetic surgery promotions will be restricted on the Explore page and Reels.
To tackle screen time issues, Instagram will prompt teens to log off after an hour of use and activate Sleep Mode from 10 PM to 7 AM, automatically sending replies to incoming messages during this time. This change aligns with broader concerns about the impact of social media on mental health, reflecting recommendations from health officials and regulatory bodies.
Parents will now have more oversight, including the ability to see the topics their teens are interested in on the Explore page and monitor recent interactions, although they won't have access to the actual message contents. They can also set daily time limits and block app usage during specific hours if desired.
Instagram plans to extend these Teen Accounts to users in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia within 60 days, with further rollouts planned for the European Union and the rest of the world in early 2024. In addition, the platform will implement new age verification measures to ensure that teens are accurately identified and given the appropriate account settings.
These updates mark a significant step towards enhancing online safety for younger users, addressing both regulatory pressures and parental concerns in the evolving digital landscape.
