Instagram Introduces "Teen Accounts" to Enhance Safety and Privacy for Younger Users
Instagram is taking significant steps to enhance the safety and privacy of its younger users by introducing a new feature known as "Teen Accounts." This initiative is designed specifically for users under the age of 16, providing them with an extra layer of protection in the digital landscape.
Teen accounts will automatically be set to private, allowing users to approve followers and control who can view their content. Enhanced content controls will make it more challenging to encounter sensitive material on the Explore page and Reels. The rollout will commence in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia within the next 60 days, with the European Union set to receive the update later this year and global availability anticipated in January.
With this new feature, Instagram aims to limit unwanted interactions by ensuring that only individuals whom teens follow or are already connected with can send them messages. This change is a proactive measure to keep strangers at bay and foster a safer online environment.
For those under 16, parental permission will be required to modify account settings, while users aged 16 and older will have the autonomy to adjust their settings unless they are under supervision, in which case parental consent will still be necessary. To further bolster safety, tagging and mentions will be restricted to only those users that teens follow. Additionally, the "Hidden Words" feature will be activated by default, filtering out offensive language from comments and direct messages.
Instagram is also introducing a "Daily Limit" feature, encouraging teens to manage their screen time effectively. After 60 minutes of usage, the app will gently remind users to take a break. For younger teens, extending this time limit will require parental approval. Moreover, the platform is launching a Sleep Mode, which will mute notifications from 10 PM to 7 AM, promoting healthier sleep habits among its younger audience. This replaces the previous Quiet Mode and Night Nudges, and parents will have the option to completely block access to Instagram during nighttime hours through the parental supervision tool.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, initially announced these protective measures earlier this year. As part of the transition, new teen sign-ups will automatically receive these features, while existing users will be notified of the changes and transitioned to Teen Accounts in the coming week.
The phased rollout of Teen Accounts marks a significant commitment from Instagram to prioritize the safety and well-being of its younger users, setting a new standard for social media platforms in the realm of digital protection.