With growing concerns about online safety, Instagram is taking steps to further protect teenagers on its platform. The social media giant has officially introduced Instagram Teen Accounts, a new feature designed to safeguard young users under 18 by default, providing peace of mind to parents as well.
According to Instagram's announcement, the Teen Accounts will include built-in protections that limit who can contact teens and what kind of content they are exposed to. These changes aim to create a safer and more positive experience for teenagers on the app, helping ensure that their time online is well-managed and appropriate for their age.
Key Features of Instagram Teen Accounts
The new Teen Accounts will come with several restrictions meant to address parental concerns and encourage healthy app usage. Some of the most notable features include:
Private Accounts by Default: All users under 16 (and new users under 18) will automatically have private accounts. This means that only approved followers can see their content, and non-followers will not be able to view their posts.
Messaging Restrictions: Teenagers will only be able to receive messages from people they already follow or have connected with on the platform. This limits the chances of unwanted or harmful communication from strangers.
Sensitive Content Controls: By default, teens will see fewer sensitive types of content, such as promotions for cosmetic procedures or violent material. These settings will be applied automatically to shield younger users from potentially harmful content.
Limited Interactions: Instagram will also restrict how teens can be tagged or mentioned in posts. Only users they follow can tag them, and offensive words will be filtered out of comments and direct messages.
Time Limit Reminders: In an effort to promote healthy screen habits, teens will receive reminders to take breaks from the app after using it for 60 minutes each day.
Sleep Mode: Notifications will be muted between 10 PM and 7 AM, and auto-replies will be sent to direct messages to ensure that teens get a proper break from social media during nighttime hours.
Parental Controls and Age Verification
One of the most significant updates with Instagram Teen Accounts is the requirement for parental approval to make any changes to these default settings. Teens under 16 will need to get their parents permission if they want to relax any of the protections in place.
Instagram is also tackling the issue of age falsification. While some teenagers may try to lie about their age when signing up, Instagram is introducing new technology to verify users' ages more effectively. This technology will help ensure that even if a teen claims to be older, their account can still be identified and placed under the Teen Account protections.
Rollout Plan
Starting on September 17th, Instagram will begin automatically placing new users under 16 into Teen Accounts. Current teen users will also be notified of the new safety features, and theyll be given the opportunity to switch to a Teen Account.
The rollout will first take place in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with the European Union and other Meta platforms set to receive the update by the end of the year. Instagram plans to extend these changes globally in January.
By prioritizing the safety of its youngest users, Instagram is taking significant steps to create a safer online space for teenagers, ensuring that they can explore the platform with reduced risks while giving parents a greater sense of control and reassurance.
