Meta is introducing “teen accounts” on Instagram to enhance parental control over users under 18. This new feature allows parents to monitor and manage their children’s activity, including restricting access to the app during nighttime.
This move comes shortly after the Australian government proposed stricter regulations on children’s access to social media platforms. Meta’s new teen accounts will initially be available to new Instagram users under 18, with plans to gradually extend the feature to existing accounts.
Key Features of Instagram’s New Teen Accounts:
- Parental Time Management: Parents can set daily time limits for how long their teens can use the app.
- Nighttime Restrictions: Instagram usage can be blocked during certain times, such as at night.
- Monitoring Activity: Parents can see who their children are messaging and view categories of content their teens engage with.
These features aim to provide greater security for teens, especially as Instagram’s default privacy settings already offer protection by preventing adults from messaging teens they don’t follow and muting notifications at night.
Parental Permissions for Teens Under 16
A major change in the new system is that teens under 16 will now need parental approval to adjust their privacy settings. However, those aged 16-18 will retain the ability to manage these settings on their own. Parents will also be notified when their under-16 children attempt to modify account settings, enabling them to intervene and impose additional restrictions like time limits or nighttime usage blocks.
Global Rollout in Response to Parental Concerns
Unlike other regional measures, such as Meta’s decision to let EU users opt out of AI data usage but not Australian users, this new teen account feature will be rolled out globally, covering countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Meta’s global security director, Antigone Davis, emphasized that the launch of teen accounts was driven by parental concerns rather than government regulation. She noted, “Parents globally are increasingly concerned about their children’s safety on social media. It makes sense to address these issues on a worldwide scale.”
Davis also hinted that similar changes could be implemented on other Meta-owned platforms, such as Facebook, but noted that each app may require different approaches based on its audience and usage patterns.
Australia’s Social Media Regulation Plans
The Australian government recently announced plans to introduce legislation that would raise the minimum age for social media access to somewhere between 14 and 16 years old. If passed, Australia would be one of the first countries to impose such a restriction.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the initiative is driven by a desire to encourage teenagers to have “authentic experiences” and to reduce the time spent on digital devices. He highlighted the importance of balancing online activities with real-life interactions.
However, Davis pointed out that for many teens, social media itself provides an avenue for meaningful experiences, such as improving skills or staying connected with peers. She explained that teens often blur the lines between their online and offline worlds, viewing both as equally important.
Enhanced Privacy for Existing Teen Accounts
Existing private teen accounts will automatically transition to the new “teen account” settings, which will enforce stricter content filters, require teens to approve new followers, and apply offensive language filters for posts and messages.
Meta’s Vice President, Nick Clegg, mentioned that despite offering parental control tools in the past, they were underutilized by parents. This update aims to make parental control features more accessible and appealing.
Conclusion
Meta’s introduction of Instagram teen accounts reflects a growing global trend towards ensuring safer social media environments for young users. By giving parents greater oversight and control, the platform aims to address concerns about online safety while balancing teens’ desire for authentic experiences.
