[Photo Credit to Unsplash]

On September 17, Meta announced the launch of Instagram’s “teen accounts,” aimed at providing enhanced protection and a safer online experience for teenage users.

In an era where social media heavily influences how young people connect and express themselves, Instagram is taking steps to address concerns about its impact on their mental health and privacy.

As a result, Instagram introduced new policies and features for users under the age of 18.

One of the central features of the new teen accounts is the default privacy setting: when teenagers under 18 sign up for Instagram, their accounts will automatically be set to private.

This change helps limit exposure to strangers and ensures teens have more control over their privacy, including who views their posts, stories, and interactions.

For teenage users already on Instagram with public accounts, their accounts will be migrated to private settings over the next 60 days.

Instagram will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to identify teenage users and move them to more restricted accounts if they attempt to bypass the system by changing their birthdates.

Another major aspect of the update is the limitation on direct messages (DMs) from people who do not follow the teen’s account.

Teenagers will only be able to receive DMs from people they follow, reducing inappropriate or unwanted contact with strangers, especially adults.

The comment control feature also allows users to filter out offensive language or limit who can comment on their posts.

To further protect teenagers from harmful and violent content, Instagram enhanced its Sensitive Content Control feature.

By default, teen accounts will be set to the “Less” option, which minimizes the amount of sensitive content that might appear in their Explore or Reels feed.

Beyond safety and privacy, Instagram is working to promote healthier social media habits.

The “Take a Break” feature will remind users to step away from the app after prolonged use, helping teens balance their screen time with other aspects of their lives.

These measures empower teens to maintain a more positive environment on their profiles by reducing exposure to negativity or harmful content.

Parents will also be able to set time limits and monitor their children’s online activities, such as messaging.

Instagram’s teen accounts will initially apply to users in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia; eventually, these features will apply to users in other countries.

Teenagers under the age of 16 will need parental permission to change these settings, while 16- and 17-year-olds will have more control over their own settings.