Instagram is taking bold steps to protect its younger users, rolling out new “teen account” settings that will automatically set profiles to private, restrict messaging, and limit exposure to sensitive content. The changes, aimed at users under 18, come in response to growing concerns about the platform’s impact on teen safety and well-being.
Key Points:
- Automatic Privacy for Teens: All teen accounts will now be private by default, restricting who can send messages, tag them in posts, or mention them in comments. Users aged 13-15 will need parental approval to change these settings.
- Stricter Content Controls: Instagram will limit the sensitive content teens can see on Explore and Reels, restricting posts related to cosmetic procedures and other adult topics.
- Time Management Tools: Teens will receive nudges to take breaks after 1 hour of usage and have their notifications muted during “sleep mode” between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Enhanced Parental Supervision: New tools will allow parents to see who their teens are messaging, set daily time limits, block app usage at specific times, and monitor topics their teens engage with.
With these sweeping changes, Instagram aims to address long-standing concerns over teen safety on the platform. While the new settings offer stronger protections, their success may depend on how effectively the platform can ensure that genuine parents—not older friends—are managing these accounts.
