Instagram Enhances Safety Features for Teenagers to Counter Online Harassment

In an effort to combat online harassment, Instagram has announced the expansion of its “Limits” tool, specifically designed for teenagers. This feature allows teens to restrict unwanted interactions with people, providing an added layer of protection against bullying and harassment.

Once enabled, the feature will only allow comments, messages, story replies, tags, and mentions from their designated “Close Friends” group. Interactions from other accounts will be muted, providing a safer and more controlled environment for teenagers.

The “Limits” feature was initially introduced in 2021 as a response to the online harassment faced by English footballers Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho following the Euro 2020 finals. While the feature is available to all users, the “Close Friends” setting is now specifically tailored for teenagers.

In addition to the “Limits” feature, Instagram has also enhanced its “Restrict” function, allowing users to limit interactions with specific accounts without blocking them entirely. This provides more control over who can engage with their content. Furthermore, comments from restricted accounts will be hidden, and they won’t be able to tag or mention the user.

These updates are part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to prioritize teen safety on its platforms. Earlier this year, the company introduced new restrictions preventing adults from messaging teenagers who don’t follow them. In April, a feature was introduced to blur nudity in Instagram DMs for teens.

These moves come as Meta faces scrutiny over teen safety in multiple regions. Last October, over 40 U.S. states sued Meta, alleging its product design impacts kids’ mental health. The European Union has also opened an investigation into Facebook and Instagram’s addictive design and negative impact on minors’ mental health.