Meta’s recent update to Instagram aims to enhance safety for teenage users, aligning the platform with PG-13 movie standards. This decision follows years of scrutiny regarding the app’s impact on mental health among teens.
Changes to Teen Accounts
Instagram introduced a set of “Teen Accounts” last year, with default privacy settings and content limitations designed to protect younger users. The new update, implemented on Tuesday, significantly expands these measures.
- Content promoting violence and self-harm is prohibited.
- Posts with strong language or that could encourage risky behavior will not be promoted.
- Teens can’t follow accounts frequently sharing inappropriate content.
Blocking Harmful Content
Instagram will now restrict a broader range of search terms, including:
- Alcohol
- Gore
The company stresses that while some suggestive content may still appear, efforts will be made to minimize its occurrence. Meta aims to provide a safer online environment for all users under 18.
Concerns Over Effectiveness
Despite these efforts, a study by child advocacy organizations indicated that nearly 60% of users aged 13 to 15 reported encountering unsafe content on the platform within the past six months. Meta challenged this conclusion, asserting that it failed to consider positive experiences among teens.
AI Chatbot Limitations
Concerns have also been raised regarding Meta’s AI chatbot, which reportedly engaged in inappropriate interactions with younger users. In response, the company announced plans to update how the chatbot interacts with teens and limit interactions with AI characters.
Global Regulatory Trends
As social media scrutiny continues to rise, some governments are taking decisive actions. For instance, Denmark’s Prime Minister recently stated that social media access would be prohibited for children under 15, allowing parental approval for those aged 13 and above.
Aligning with Parental Expectations
Meta’s new guidelines are a direct response to parental feedback seeking clearer rules surrounding their children’s online activities. The company is committed to aligning its policies with standards parents recognize, such as those used in the film industry.
The Motion Picture Association clarified that it had no prior knowledge of Meta’s announcement. Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin mentioned that while protecting children from inappropriate content is essential, linking Instagram’s moderation tools to PG-13 ratings is misleading.
Automatic Implementation of Restrictions
The updated restrictions will automatically apply to all users under 18. Teens may revert to previous settings with parental consent. Starting next year, a new “Limited Content” setting will allow parents to enforce stricter controls over their child’s interactions and content visibility.
The gradual rollout of these features began in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans to expand globally in the following months. Meta is enhancing its use of artificial intelligence to better estimate the ages of users to maintain the integrity of the teen safety measures.
