Social media platforms have long been a double-edged sword, offering connections while posing risks, particularly for younger users. As the digital landscape evolves, ensuring the safety of minors remains a pressing concern. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has taken notable steps to address these challenges, particularly with the introduction of Teen Accounts.
Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger
In a recent announcement, Meta revealed that Teen Accounts, initially launched for Instagram, are now expanding to Facebook and Messenger. This rollout will take place in the United States, the UK, Australia, and Canada, with plans for additional regions in the near future. Users under 18 will automatically transition to these accounts, with a notification alerting them to the upcoming changes.
What’s new with Teen Accounts
Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger will mirror the protective features already established for Instagram. However, Instagram is also introducing new restrictions specifically for users under 16. Notably, these users will be prohibited from live broadcasting unless they obtain parental consent. Additionally, a feature that blurs images containing suspected nudity in direct messages will also require parental approval to disable.
Meta’s commitment to user safety is evident, as the company reports that a significant majority—97%—of users aged 13-15 maintain the default protections on their accounts. This statistic underscores the importance of these safeguards in fostering a safer online environment for teens.
How to manage your teen’s Meta accounts
The transition to Teen Accounts is automatic, meaning parents need not take any action for their teens aged 16 and older, who can adjust their settings independently. However, for those under 16, parental permission is essential for any changes. To facilitate this, parents must first establish parental supervision through the Family Center feature.
To set up parental supervision on Instagram, parents can navigate to their profile, select the hamburger menu in the top right corner, and choose Family Center. From there, they can invite their teen by selecting their child from the user list and sending an invitation. A similar process is available on Messenger and Facebook, where parents can access the Family Center through the app’s settings.
Once parental supervision is established, parents can manage various permissions, including who can send direct messages, mention or tag their teen, and what content can be viewed or unblurred. Importantly, this system does not infringe on the teen’s privacy; parents cannot access their search history or direct messages, ensuring a balance between oversight and personal space. If a teen attempts to alter a restricted setting, the app will inform them that parental permission is required.
