Meta has introduced a new feature called “Teen Accounts” on Facebook and Messenger, aimed at enhancing the safety of minors using its platforms. This initiative, announced on Tuesday, automatically enrolls users under the age of 18 into these accounts, reflecting the company’s commitment to providing parents with greater peace of mind regarding their children’s online interactions.
Enhanced Safety Measures for Minors
With the implementation of Teen Accounts, Meta has established several key restrictions designed to limit who can contact young users and to screen the content they encounter. According to a statement made to TechCrunch, teens will only receive messages from individuals they follow or have previously interacted with. This measure ensures that only friends can view and respond to their stories, while tags, mentions, and comments will be restricted to their established network.
In addition to these privacy enhancements, Meta is taking steps to promote healthier usage habits among teens. Users will receive notifications prompting them to log off after one hour of screen time, and the apps will automatically switch to “quiet mode” during nighttime hours.
This move follows a growing call for increased safety measures on social media platforms, particularly in light of rising concerns regarding the mental health implications of social media use among young people. Last fall, a coalition of state attorneys general took legal action against Meta, alleging that the company has leveraged addictive features to engage children, ultimately prioritizing profits over their well-being.
Critics, including Sacha Haworth, director of the Tech Oversight Project, have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these new features. Haworth emphasized that while Meta may introduce various “kid-” or “teen”-focused functionalities, the underlying business model remains focused on maximizing engagement, often at the expense of young users’ mental health.
Moreover, the Tech Transparency Project has pointed out that Meta has previously claimed to be implementing similar safety features. For instance, plans to make teen accounts private by default and to restrict interactions with strangers were initially announced back in 2021, raising questions about the sincerity and effectiveness of these recent updates.
As Meta continues to navigate the complexities of user safety and mental health, the introduction of Teen Accounts marks a significant step in addressing the concerns of parents and advocates alike. However, the effectiveness of these measures will likely be scrutinized as the conversation around social media’s impact on youth evolves.
Meta adds new age-based restrictions to Facebook, Messenger to curb…
Meta has introduced a new feature called “Teen Accounts” on Facebook and Messenger, aimed at enhancing the safety of minors using its platforms. This initiative, announced on Tuesday, automatically enrolls users under the age of 18 into these accounts, reflecting the company’s commitment to providing parents with greater peace of mind regarding their children’s online interactions.
Enhanced Safety Measures for Minors
With the implementation of Teen Accounts, Meta has established several key restrictions designed to limit who can contact young users and to screen the content they encounter. According to a statement made to TechCrunch, teens will only receive messages from individuals they follow or have previously interacted with. This measure ensures that only friends can view and respond to their stories, while tags, mentions, and comments will be restricted to their established network.
In addition to these privacy enhancements, Meta is taking steps to promote healthier usage habits among teens. Users will receive notifications prompting them to log off after one hour of screen time, and the apps will automatically switch to “quiet mode” during nighttime hours.
This move follows a growing call for increased safety measures on social media platforms, particularly in light of rising concerns regarding the mental health implications of social media use among young people. Last fall, a coalition of state attorneys general took legal action against Meta, alleging that the company has leveraged addictive features to engage children, ultimately prioritizing profits over their well-being.
Critics, including Sacha Haworth, director of the Tech Oversight Project, have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these new features. Haworth emphasized that while Meta may introduce various “kid-” or “teen”-focused functionalities, the underlying business model remains focused on maximizing engagement, often at the expense of young users’ mental health.
Moreover, the Tech Transparency Project has pointed out that Meta has previously claimed to be implementing similar safety features. For instance, plans to make teen accounts private by default and to restrict interactions with strangers were initially announced back in 2021, raising questions about the sincerity and effectiveness of these recent updates.
As Meta continues to navigate the complexities of user safety and mental health, the introduction of Teen Accounts marks a significant step in addressing the concerns of parents and advocates alike. However, the effectiveness of these measures will likely be scrutinized as the conversation around social media’s impact on youth evolves.