Instagram has launched a new feature designed to protect users under the age of 18 and enhance their safety on the platform. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, announced the rollout of “teen accounts” on Tuesday, September 17th.
All accounts belonging to users under 18 will automatically be converted to teen accounts, which are set to private by default. Teen accounts can only receive messages from people they follow or are already connected to.
To further protect young users, Instagram will limit sensitive content, filter out offensive language, and send notifications encouraging users to take breaks after extended periods of usage. Additionally, a “sleep mode” will automatically mute notifications during specific hours and auto-reply to messages.
Parents will have access to tools that allow them to monitor their children’s interactions and restrict app usage. However, users aged 16 and 17 will have the option to disable certain settings without parental approval.
The feature is expected to roll out within 60 days in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia, with other countries following suit by January 2025. Meta also plans to extend teen accounts to its other social media platforms in the coming year.
