Meta rolls out Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger globally
September 25, 2025
Meta has taken a significant step in enhancing the safety and well-being of its younger users by expanding its Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger on a global scale. Initially launched in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, these accounts are designed with built-in protections and parental controls, reflecting the company’s commitment to safeguarding teens online.
Enhanced Safety Features for Teens
The Teen Accounts, which debuted on Instagram last fall, were introduced in response to scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers regarding the safety of adolescents on social media platforms. With the new global rollout, teens will automatically enter an environment that limits exposure to inappropriate content and unwanted interactions. Notably, users under the age of 16 will require parental consent to modify any account settings.
Key features of the Teen Accounts include:
Messaging restrictions that allow teens to receive messages only from individuals they follow or have previously interacted with.
Story visibility limited to friends, ensuring a more controlled sharing environment.
Tags, mentions, and comments confined to friends or followers, further enhancing privacy.
Daily reminders encouraging teens to take breaks after one hour of usage.
A “Quiet mode” activated overnight to promote healthier usage habits.
Despite these measures, a recent study led by a Meta whistleblower has raised concerns about the ongoing risks faced by children and teens on Instagram. The research indicates that even with the implementation of Teen Accounts, young users may still encounter distressing content related to self-harm and inappropriate sexual material. Meta has contested these findings, asserting that their protective measures have successfully reduced the visibility of harmful content.
Image Credits:Meta
In conjunction with the Teen Accounts expansion, Meta has also launched the School Partnership Program. This initiative enables educators to report safety issues, such as bullying, directly to Instagram for expedited review and resolution. Following a successful pilot earlier this year, the program is now open to all middle and high schools in the U.S., offering prioritized reporting and educational resources. Participating schools will be recognized with a banner on their Instagram profiles, signaling their partnership with the platform to parents and students.
This announcement is part of Meta’s broader strategy to address the mental health challenges associated with social media use among teens. Concerns raised by the U.S. surgeon general and various states have prompted some jurisdictions to consider restrictions on teen social media access without parental consent, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions in this area.
Meta rolls out Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger globally
Meta has taken a significant step in enhancing the safety and well-being of its younger users by expanding its Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger on a global scale. Initially launched in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, these accounts are designed with built-in protections and parental controls, reflecting the company’s commitment to safeguarding teens online.
Enhanced Safety Features for Teens
The Teen Accounts, which debuted on Instagram last fall, were introduced in response to scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers regarding the safety of adolescents on social media platforms. With the new global rollout, teens will automatically enter an environment that limits exposure to inappropriate content and unwanted interactions. Notably, users under the age of 16 will require parental consent to modify any account settings.
Key features of the Teen Accounts include:
Despite these measures, a recent study led by a Meta whistleblower has raised concerns about the ongoing risks faced by children and teens on Instagram. The research indicates that even with the implementation of Teen Accounts, young users may still encounter distressing content related to self-harm and inappropriate sexual material. Meta has contested these findings, asserting that their protective measures have successfully reduced the visibility of harmful content.
In conjunction with the Teen Accounts expansion, Meta has also launched the School Partnership Program. This initiative enables educators to report safety issues, such as bullying, directly to Instagram for expedited review and resolution. Following a successful pilot earlier this year, the program is now open to all middle and high schools in the U.S., offering prioritized reporting and educational resources. Participating schools will be recognized with a banner on their Instagram profiles, signaling their partnership with the platform to parents and students.
This announcement is part of Meta’s broader strategy to address the mental health challenges associated with social media use among teens. Concerns raised by the U.S. surgeon general and various states have prompted some jurisdictions to consider restrictions on teen social media access without parental consent, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions in this area.