Meta Platforms is rolling out new privacy and parental controls for Instagram accounts of users under 18. This move comes amid growing concerns about the negative effects of social media on young users. Meta announced that all designated Instagram accounts for teens will be switched to private by default.
In these “Teen Accounts,” users can only receive messages and be tagged by people they follow or are already connected with. Additionally, sensitive content settings will be set to the most restrictive option available. Users under 16 can change these settings, but only with parental permission.
Parents will now have tools to monitor who their children interact with and limit app usage. The changes come in response to studies linking social media to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and learning disabilities among young users. Meta, along with TikTok and YouTube, is already facing hundreds of lawsuits for allegedly promoting addictive behavior on social media platforms.
This update follows Meta’s earlier decision to abandon a version of Instagram specifically designed for teenagers after facing pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
The enhanced privacy measures also include a 60-minute daily limit for Instagram use, after which users will be encouraged to close the app. Meta plans to roll out these changes within 60 days in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. The European Union will follow later this year, with a global rollout expected in January.
