Instagram is making changes to improve the safety of its younger users by launching dedicated teen accounts. These updates are intended to reduce exposure to harmful content and provide better protection for minors using the platform.
Overview of the New Teen Accounts
Starting September 17, 2024, Instagram will introduce new teen accounts in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia for users under 18. Anyone signing up under the age of 18 will be automatically placed into a teen account. Existing accounts will be switched to the new setup over the next 60 days. Users in the European Union will see similar changes later this year.
These accounts aim to offer a safer experience by limiting who can send direct messages and by restricting sensitive content. By default, teen accounts will be set to private, and direct messages will only be allowed from people the user already follows or has connected with.
Addressing Age Verification and Misrepresented Ages
One issue Meta, Instagram’s parent company, wants to tackle is age misrepresentation. To prevent teens from lying about their age, Instagram will increase age verification checks. If a teen tries to create an account with an adult age, they will be required to verify their actual age.
Meta is also working on technology to detect when teen users create accounts pretending to be adults. If these accounts are identified, they will be moved into restricted teen accounts to maintain safety protocols.
New Tools for Managing Screen Time
Instagram will introduce features that encourage healthier screen habits for teens. Users will receive notifications when they have been on the platform for more than 60 minutes. A “sleep mode” feature, enabled from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., will turn off notifications and send automatic replies to direct messages.
Older teens, aged 16 and 17, can turn off these features if they choose, but teens under 16 will need parental approval to make changes to these settings.
Parental Concerns and Additional Controls
Meta acknowledges that many parents worry about the kind of content their teens are exposed to, who they interact with, and how much time they spend on social media. Instagram’s new teen accounts are designed with these concerns in mind.
Naomi Gleit, Meta’s head of product, explained that parents are often concerned about unwanted interactions, inappropriate content, and excessive use of the platform. These new features aim to address these issues directly.
Legal and Mental Health Pressures
Instagram’s latest safety measures come at a time when Meta faces legal challenges. Several U.S. states have filed lawsuits accusing the company of contributing to the mental health issues seen in young people. Critics have argued that previous efforts to improve teen safety did not go far enough, especially regarding time spent on the platform.
While Instagram will notify teens when they’ve been online for 60 minutes, teens can bypass this notification unless parental controls are enabled. Parents can restrict usage by setting time limits, such as 15 minutes.
Strengthening Parental Supervision
Instagram is also enhancing its parental supervision tools. Teens under 16 will need permission from a parent or guardian to change account settings that make the account less restricted. These controls can be managed through Instagram’s “Family Center,” which allows parents to monitor their teen’s interactions, such as who they are messaging or following.
Meta hopes these tools will encourage more parents to actively supervise their teen’s social media use. Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, has mentioned that despite existing controls, many parents have not taken full advantage of them. Gleit added that the new teen accounts could help spark important conversations between parents and teens, particularly around issues like online harassment.
Challenges for Parents in the Digital Age
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has emphasized that parents are often left to manage their children’s social media use without enough support from tech companies. He pointed out that social media has a significant influence on how young people develop their sense of self, form friendships, and engage with the world, and that this challenge is unlike anything faced by previous generations.
Murthy argued that technology companies should take more responsibility for keeping children safe online. Instagram’s latest updates are part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to address these concerns, but the company acknowledges there is more to be done.
Conclusion
Instagram’s new teen accounts and improved parental controls are steps toward better protecting minors on social media. The changes focus on limiting harmful content, increasing parental involvement, and providing teens with safer online experiences. As social media continues to evolve, ongoing attention will be needed to ensure these platforms remain safe for younger users.
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