Instagram launches teen accounts with built-in protections, parental controls

Instagram introduces Teen Accounts to enhance online safety for teens. These accounts come with built-in protections, such as private settings, messaging restrictions, and sensitive content controls, ensuring a safer digital environment.

 

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]nstagram has launched Teen Accounts, a new feature designed to improve the safety of teenage users. The initiative aims to protect teens by implementing several security measures, including private account settings and messaging restrictions. These settings automatically limit who can contact teens and the type of content they see.

One of the standout features is the introduction of parental controls. Parents can manage settings for teens under 16, requiring approval before any changes are made to lessen protections.

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This feature reassures parents by offering a safer environment for their children to navigate social media.

Instagram Teen Accounts also offer sensitive content controls, placing teens in the most restrictive setting. This limits exposure to harmful content, such as violent videos or posts promoting risky behaviours. Additional protections include time management tools and a sleep mode to ensure balanced app usage.

The platform’s efforts have been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. Experts praise the default privacy settings, which reduce the burden on parents to monitor their children’s online activity.

Age verification measures are also being strengthened to prevent teens from bypassing restrictions.

Teens in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia will be the first to experience these changes, with a global rollout expected by January 2024. This initiative reflects Instagram’s commitment to ensuring a safer online space for young people while supporting parental involvement.