Meta Enhances Teen Safety on Instagram, Plans Extension to Facebook and Messenger
Meta has launched the second phase of its teen safety program in India with new protections on Instagram Teen Accounts. The company is enhancing online safety for younger users with more parental controls and intends to roll out these features on Facebook and Messenger later this year.
One of the most important changes is that teens under 16 will no longer be permitted to go live or turn off filters that hide unwanted images in direct messages without parental consent. Meta stated these steps are aimed at limiting exposure to sensitive material and unwanted contact.
These protections, as part of the overall Teen Accounts experience, include in-built safety settings like default private accounts, limited messaging, tagging and mentions, and content filters. These settings are enabled by default, and any efforts to decrease the level of protection will now need a parent's permission.
"With Teen Accounts, we are building technology that balances self-expression with inherent protections", said Tara Hopkins, Global Director of Public Policy at Instagram. "Young people deserve to have safe, age-appropriate online experiences, and these changes are part of our long-term commitment to their well-being".
In India home to one of the world’s largest youth populations Meta emphasized its commitment to addressing the needs of both teenagers and their parents. The company revealed that 97% of teenagers aged 13 to 15 have continued using the protective settings globally since the launch of Teen Accounts in September 2024.
Now, more than 54 million teenagers across the world are using Teen Accounts on Instagram. The protections will be implemented in Facebook and Messenger later in the year, providing uniform standards of safety throughout Meta platforms.
Meta added that parents also have more means at their disposal to monitor teens' experiences throughout Meta apps with more transparency and reassurance.
They also demonstrate Meta's continued commitment to making online experiences safer for the next generation of users in the changing social media environment.
