Instagram is taking a significant step toward creating a safer online environment for younger users with the introduction of Teen Accounts. These accounts feature a suite of built-in protections aimed at limiting teens’ exposure to potentially harmful content and restricting unwanted interactions.
All existing accounts belonging to users under 16 will be automatically transitioned to Teen Accounts. A parent’s permission will be required to make any changes to these accounts’ settings. Here’s a detailed look at the key safety features:
Privacy and Control:
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Private Accounts by Default:
Teen accounts are set to private, meaning teens have to approve any new followers. Users who don’t follow them cannot see their posts or send them messages.*
Limited Messaging and Tagging:
Only users a teen follows can send them messages or tag them in posts. This helps reduce unwanted contact and exposure to inappropriate content.Content Filtering and Limits:
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Hidden Words:
Teen accounts are equipped with an automatic filter that blocks offensive and abusive language.*
Time Limits and Notifications:
After 60 minutes of continuous use, teens will receive a notification encouraging them to take a break. Instagram notifications are muted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and messages receive automatic replies during this period.*
Sensitive Content Restrictions:
Teen accounts are automatically placed under restrictions that filter out sensitive content, including violent images, Reels promoting cosmetic procedures, and other potentially inappropriate material.Personalized Content and Explore:
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Topic-Based Exploration:
Teens can select their interests, such as animals, dance, crafts, or road trips, and the Explore tab will prioritize content related to those topics. This helps curate a more personalized and engaging experience.Parental Supervision:
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Monitoring Tools:
Parents can use the Supervision feature to monitor their teens’ activity without gaining full access to their accounts. This includes viewing the teens’ followers, who they’ve messaged (but not the content of the messages), and the topics they’ve interacted with.*
Time Limits and Access Restrictions:
Parents can set daily time limits for Instagram use and restrict access to the app during specific time periods.Age Verification and Proactive Measures:
Instagram is implementing stricter age verification processes to ensure the accuracy of users’ stated ages. The company is also developing technology to proactively identify and manage accounts belonging to teens.
Rollout and Availability:
Eligible new accounts will be automatically designated as Teen Accounts starting immediately. Existing accounts will undergo the migration process over the next week. Instagram expects the transition to be completed within 60 days in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. The safety features will be rolled out to accounts in the EU later this year.
These new measures demonstrate Instagram’s commitment to providing a safer and more positive online experience for teens. By combining user-centric features with parental control options, Instagram aims to create a more responsible and empowering environment for younger users to connect and explore the platform.
