Instagram is trying to make the social media platform safer for children amid growing backlash against how social media affects young people’s lives.
Now new “teen accounts” are being introduced, which Meta, Instagram’s parent company, says will offer built-in protections and peace of mind for parents.
Here’s what we know.
What are Instagram teen accounts?
Under the changes, anyone under 18 who joins Instagram in Australia, the US, the UK and Canada will be placed in restrictive teen accounts.
Accounts will be private by default and messages are limited, so teens will only be able to receive them from people they follow or are already connected to.
“Sensitive content,” such as videos of people fighting or promoting cosmetic procedures, will be restricted, Meta said.
Teens will also receive notifications if they stay on Instagram for more than 60 minutes, and a “sleep mode” will be enabled that turns off notifications and sends automatic replies to direct messages from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
While these settings will be active for all teens, 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to turn them off. Children under 16 will need parental permission to do so.
When will Instagram teen accounts go live?
The changes began on September 17 for new users.
Teens already using Instagram will be migrated to teen accounts over the next 60 days.
The changes will be introduced in the European Union later this year and in the rest of the world in January, Meta said.
How will teen accounts be applied?
Meta acknowledged that teenagers may lie about their age and said that would require them to verify it in multiple places.
Meta said it is also building technology to proactively find accounts belonging to teenagers, even if the account lists an adult’s birthday.
Why are teen accounts being introduced?
The announcement comes as the company faces lawsuits from dozens of U.S. states that accuse it of harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms .
While Meta didn’t specify how the changes might affect its business, the company said the changes could mean teens will use Instagram less in the short term.
emarketer analyst Jasmine Enberg said the impact of the changes on revenue “will likely be minimal.”
“Even if Meta continues to prioritize teen safety, it is unlikely to make sweeping changes that would cause a major financial hit,” he said.
Enberg said teen accounts are unlikely to significantly influence how teens engage with Instagram “also because there are still plenty of ways to get around the rules and they might even make them more motivated to work around the boundaries of age”.
