Instagram's New Teen Accounts: Enhanced Safety & Controls

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has rolled out a new feature called "Teen Accounts" for users under the age of 18. This new feature aims to enhance the safety and well-being of young Instagram users by implementing stricter controls and safeguards.

• Teen Accounts will be automatically set to private, limiting the visibility of posts to only approved followers.
• The feature will restrict who can message teens, comment on their posts, and what kind of sensitive content is suggested in Reels and the Explore page.
• These new settings will apply to both newly created and existing accounts.

Why the Default Approach?

Meta has recognized the limitations of optional parental controls, which have often been underutilized. Nick Clegg, head of global policy at Meta, explained that even when such controls are available, parents don't frequently use them.

• The company attributes this lack of parental engagement to the buried nature of these controls within the app's settings, making them difficult to find and activate.

Teen Accounts: Key Features & Restrictions

The Teen Accounts feature includes several key features and restrictions designed to promote responsible social media use among young users. These features are automatically enabled by default, except for teens aged 16 and 17 who have the option to opt out.

• Sleep Mode: This feature automatically disables Instagram access during designated nighttime hours. Younger teens will also have a reminder to take a break after an hour of use.
• Limited Messaging: Teens will not be able to receive messages or be tagged by strangers, and they cannot send direct messages to users outside their approved follower list.
• Parental Monitoring: Parents of younger teens can see who their children are direct messaging, although they cannot read the content of the messages.
• Content Control: Teen Accounts will be presented with a curated feed of content that is less likely to contain potentially harmful or inappropriate materials.

Instagram's Focus on Teen Mental Health

The implementation of Teen Accounts reflects Meta's increasing focus on addressing the potential risks of social media use for young users. Instagram has faced criticism and legal scrutiny regarding its impact on teen mental health.

• Instagram Head Adam Mosseri has acknowledged the potential negative effects of social comparison and the pressure it can place on teens.
• Meta has been advocating for app store-level parental permission controls, aiming to alleviate its own burden of implementing and enforcing these controls.

Response from Outside the App: Warning Labels & Calls for Action

Beyond the app itself, the issue of teen social media use continues to spark broader conversations and calls for action. The U.S. Surgeon General has suggested that social media platforms should include warning labels for teens, highlighting potential mental health risks.

• State attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, alleging that the company has failed to adequately protect young users from harmful content and practices.
• There has been growing interest in implementing bans on mobile phone use within schools, aiming to reduce distractions and promote focus on learning.

A Step Towards Safer Social Media

Meta's introduction of Teen Accounts represents a significant step towards creating a safer and more responsible social media environment for young users. By implementing these new features and controls, the company is actively trying to address concerns regarding teen safety and mental health, fostering a more responsible and ethical approach to social media for this vulnerable demographic.

Moving Forward

Meta's efforts to enhance teen safety on Instagram are a step in the right direction, but they represent only one part of a complex issue. While the introduction of Teen Accounts and stricter controls are positive developments, ongoing vigilance, collaboration, and continuous improvement are essential to address the ongoing challenges of social media use for teens and promote a healthier digital experience for young users.