Meta Launches Teen Accounts to Enhance Online Safety for Under 18 Users
In a significant move to protect its young users, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has launched Teen Accounts, a new feature designed to enhance the safety and online experience of users under 18. The feature is set to automatically convert all under 18 users to Instagram teen accounts, which will be set to private by default.
The Teen Accounts will only receive messages from people they are already connected to or follow, limiting the spread of harmful or inappropriate content. Moreover, the platform will filter out offensive words and phrases from direct message requests and comments, as well as limit sensitive content, including violence and videos promoting cosmetic procedures.
The feature will also allow teenagers to receive notifications reminding them to log off after 60 minutes of usage each day. Additionally, a sleep mode will automatically mute notifications between 10pm and 7am, and an auto-reply feature will alert others to contact the user during the daytime.
To ensure parental involvement, Teen Accounts will require parental permission for users under 16 to modify default settings, while users aged 16 and 17 will have the option to disable the settings without needing parental approval.
Parents will have access to a set of tools that enable them to monitor their children’s interactions and restrict app usage. This feature is expected to start rolling out within 60 days in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, with other countries set to follow by January 2025.
This move by Meta aims to address concerns around online safety and well-being for younger users, providing them with a safer and more controlled online environment. As social media platforms continue to play a significant role in shaping the online experiences of the next generation, it is essential that companies like Meta prioritize the safety and security of their youngest users.
