Meta Enhances Teen Safety Features Across Social Media Platforms
In an era where parental concerns regarding children's activities on social media are at an all-time high, Meta's recent announcement could provide some much-needed reassurance. On Tuesday, the tech giant revealed that it is expanding its Instagram Teen Accounts functionality to encompass other prominent platforms, namely Facebook and Messenger. This move is part of a broader initiative to bolster teen safety across Meta's services.
Alongside this expansion, Meta has introduced additional protective measures specifically tailored for Instagram Teen Accounts. These enhancements will prevent users under the age of 16 from going live on Instagram, as well as restrict their ability to disable blurred images in direct messages. The blurring feature is designed to safeguard teens from potentially inappropriate content, particularly nudity, and requires parental consent for any alterations.
Meta initially launched Instagram Teen Accounts back in September 2024, aiming to create a safer online environment for younger users while simultaneously providing parents with more oversight and supervision options. Since the launch, the company has transitioned approximately 54 million existing accounts into Teen Accounts, with plans for further expansions in the future. These specialized accounts come equipped with several built-in security features, including a default private setting and a hidden words filter. This filter automatically screens out inappropriate comments and direct message requests, helping to create a more positive user experience.
A survey commissioned by Meta and conducted by Ipsos indicates that an overwhelming 94% of parents found these protective features beneficial, with 85% reporting that the enhancements made it easier for their children to enjoy a positive experience on Instagram. However, Meta did not disclose the number of parents surveyed or the geographic scope of the research.
Children's safety advocates have long urged social media platforms to implement more robust measures to protect young users. While progress in this area has been gradual, Meta's recognition that teenagers require different protections compared to adultsâand the introduction of dedicated accounts to address these needsâmarks a significant advancement in the ongoing conversation about online safety. Other platforms have begun to take notice of this trend as well; for instance, TikTok unveiled new parental controls just last month, indicating a growing industry-wide response to calls for increased accountability in safeguarding children's experiences online.
