Meta announced on Tuesday that teens using Instagram will, by default, only be able to access PG-13 content. They won’t be able to adjust this setting without getting permission from a parent.
This means that kids with teen accounts will primarily see images and videos that align with the standards of PG-13 movies, steering clear of themes like sex, drugs, and risky behavior.
“We’re also working to hide or limit content that could promote harmful actions, such as posts with strong language, dangerous stunts, or anything that shows drug-related items,” Mehta stated in a blog. He described this update as the most impactful change since teen accounts were first introduced last year.
Instagram automatically assigns those under 18 a restricted teen account when they sign up, unless a parent opts them out.
These teen accounts are private by default and already have limitations that filter out sensitive content, including anything discussing cosmetic surgery.
The company is also set to introduce more stringent settings that parents can implement for their children.
This shift comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the platform’s impact on young users.
Meta is striving to offer more protections for younger individuals, ensuring they are shielded from unsuitable content, like posts discussing self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide.
Yet, reports indicate these protective measures aren’t foolproof. Recent studies have revealed that accounts created by teens sometimes promote inappropriate sexual material, including graphic depictions and nudity.
Moreover, Instagram has been identified as promoting various self-harm and body image-related content that could harm adolescents, especially those struggling with mental health issues.
Meta asserts that these new restrictions build on existing safety precautions.
From now on, teens won’t be allowed to follow accounts associated with sharing what the platform defines as “age-inappropriate content,” including links to sites like OnlyFans. If they already follow such accounts, they’ll lose access to the content, cannot send messages, and won’t see their own comments on others’ posts.
These accounts will also be barred from following teens, messaging them privately, or commenting on their content.
Meta has been blocking certain search terms related to sensitive subjects, but the latest update broadens this effort to include more terms like “alcohol” and “bloodshed,” even when they are misspelled.
Mehta mentioned that the PG-13 update will also incorporate artificial intelligence chats designed for teens, which will ensure that the AI does not deliver age-inappropriate responses that would stand out in a PG-13 context.
For parents seeking even tighter controls, Meta is launching “restricted content” settings that will further limit access and prevent teens from viewing or receiving comments on posts.
