Instagram Prioritizes Teen Safety with Enhanced Protections

Strengthening Safeguards for Young Users

Instagram has announced significant updates to its platform aimed at protecting teen users. These changes include the introduction of Teen Accounts, expanded parental supervision features, and stricter content restrictions.

Teen Accounts: A Safer Experience

Starting Tuesday, all new and existing teen accounts will automatically be converted to Teen Accounts. This feature provides built-in protections that limit who can contact teens, restrict the type of content they can view, and promote responsible usage.

Key Protections for Teen Accounts

Limited Connections: Teens can only receive messages from people they follow or have previously accepted direct message requests from.

Content Restrictions: Offensive words and phrases are filtered from direct messages and comments. Sensitive content, such as violence and cosmetic procedures, is restricted.

Time Limits and Sleep Mode: To address screen time concerns, teens will receive notifications to close the app after an hour of daily use. Sleep Mode automatically mutes notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM.

Expanded Parental Supervision

Instagram has also enhanced its parental supervision features, giving parents greater control over their teen’s app usage. Parents can now:

Monitor Messaging: See who their teen has messaged in the past week.

Set Time Limits: Determine daily usage limits and block app access during specific times.

View Content Preferences: See the topics their teen has chosen to follow on the Explore page.

Addressing Age Verification

Instagram is implementing measures to verify the age of users, preventing teens from creating accounts with adult birthdays. These measures include ID verification and selfie videos.

A Commitment to Safety

Instagram’s commitment to protecting young users is evident in these significant updates. By prioritizing safety and providing parents with greater control, Instagram aims to create a more positive and secure online environment for teens.

Conclusion

Instagram’s introduction of Teen Accounts and expanded parental supervision features marks a significant step towards safeguarding young users. These changes address concerns raised by lawmakers and regulators, promoting responsible social media usage and fostering a healthier online experience for teens.