New Teen Accounts with Enhanced Privacy
Instagram is rolling out stricter privacy measures for users under 18 by introducing automatic “teen accounts.” These accounts come with enhanced privacy settings, limiting exposure to sensitive content and restricting features like screen time. The Meta-owned platform now requires parental approval for certain features, ensuring teens have more protection online.
Parental Control and Permissions
For the first time, users aged 15 or younger will need a parent or guardian’s permission to opt out of these restrictive settings, while those aged 16 to 17 can do so independently. Instagram aims to give parents greater peace of mind, allowing them to have a say in how their teens interact with the app while maintaining some independence for older teens.
Rising Pressure on Social Media Safety
Instagram’s new measures come as social media companies face increasing scrutiny over the safety of minors. Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized before the U.S. Congress following incidents of child abuse on his platforms. Growing concerns about social media’s impact on mental health and technology addiction have led to more calls for improved safety features for younger users.
Upcoming Changes and Global Rollout
Teens in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia will receive the new Teen Accounts within 60 days, with a European Union rollout planned for later this year. Instagram will also introduce stricter age verification measures to prevent teens from falsifying their age, using new technology to proactively identify teen accounts.
Key Features for Teens and Parents
Teen users will now have to approve new followers, and only people they follow can message them. Offensive content and language will be filtered out, and daily notifications will remind teens to log off after 60 minutes. Parents will gain access to see who their teens have messaged and can set time limits or restrict app usage at night to help manage screen time.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Petal Pixel
Whether writing about complex technical topics or breaking news stories, my writing is always clear, concise, and engaging. My dedication to my craft and passion for storytelling have earned me a reputation as a highly respected article writer.