Instagram, owned by Meta, has introduced a new feature called “teen accounts” aimed at enhancing the safety of children online by limiting content exposure and interactions for users aged up to 16.
This feature is designed to provide parents with increased control over their children’s online presence. For new users aged 13 to 15, Teen Accounts will be activated automatically, while existing users in this age group will be switched to the new accounts within the next two months in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
The accounts will automatically be set to private, ensuring that only approved followers can view content and preventing contact from those who aren’t following.
The Teens will be limited to messaging only those they follow or who have an established connection, minimizing unwanted interactions.
For control on the sensitive content control, enhanced settings will restrict exposure to potentially harmful materials, such as violence or advertisements for cosmetic procedures.
The parents will have the ability to monitor their child’s online activities, including direct messages and the type of content being consumed.
Teens can engage with topics that interest them, like sports, music, and art, fostering a more positive online environment.
The users will receive prompts to take breaks after 60 minutes of app usage, notifications will be muted automatically from 10pm to 7am to encourage healthier sleep habits while advanced technology will be used to identify and transition underage users to teen accounts effectively.
