Meta is expanding its initiative to enhance safety for younger users by introducing Teen Accounts across more platforms, including Facebook and Messenger, while implementing stricter measures on Instagram. This move follows the initial rollout of Teen Accounts on Instagram in September, which aimed to create a safer online environment for minors by automatically setting their accounts to private and limiting access to certain features.
As part of this broader strategy, Meta is now extending similar protections to Facebook and Messenger, with the rollout commencing in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. Other regions are expected to follow shortly. While specific details regarding the protections have yet to be disclosed, it is anticipated that they will mirror those introduced on Instagram. For users under 18, these changes will automatically apply to both new and existing accounts. Notably, older teens will have the option to disable these protections, whereas those under 16 will need to seek parental permission to make any adjustments.
The current suite of protections for Teen Accounts includes:
- Restrictions on messaging and interactions with strangers.
- Tighter controls over exposure to sensitive content.
- Encouragement to limit screen time, featuring reminders after 60 minutes of use.
- A sleep mode that mutes notifications from 10 PM to 7 AM.
These enhancements are part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to address concerns regarding child safety on its platforms. The company is currently facing scrutiny from the EU regarding its practices related to safeguarding minors, alongside a separate lawsuit in the US that alleges Meta has created a “marketplace for predators in search of children.”
In addition to the existing measures, Meta plans to introduce further protections for Teen Accounts on Instagram in the coming months. These will include restrictions that prevent minors from initiating live broadcasts and disabling a feature that blurs images in direct messages when nudity is detected. For users under 16, parental permission will be necessary to alter or remove these new restrictions, reinforcing the company’s commitment to limiting interactions between children and unfamiliar users on its platform.
