Last year marked a significant transformation in the Instagram experience tailored for teens and their parents, with the introduction of Instagram Teen Accounts. These accounts come equipped with robust built-in protections designed to limit who can reach out to teens and the types of content they encounter. Automatically assigned to users under 16, these accounts require parental consent for any adjustments to the default settings, which are intentionally strict. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 opting to maintain these protective measures, ensuring a more age-appropriate environment for younger users.
These enhancements represent a pivotal shift in how teens engage with Instagram. While we are encouraged by the initial outcomes, our commitment to supporting both parents and teens is ongoing. In light of this, we are excited to announce further protective measures and the expansion of Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger, providing parents with greater peace of mind across all Meta applications.
New Instagram Teen Accounts Built-in Protections
Understanding the concerns parents have regarding their teens’ interactions online, we are introducing additional safeguards for Instagram Live and direct messages (DMs). Under the new guidelines, teens under 16 will require parental approval to go Live. Furthermore, they will need permission to disable the feature that automatically blurs images suspected of containing nudity in DMs. These updates are set to roll out in the coming months, enhancing the protective framework already in place.
Expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger
To further alleviate parental concerns, we are initiating the rollout of Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger. These accounts will mirror the automatic protections found on Instagram, limiting exposure to inappropriate content and unwanted interactions while promoting a healthy online experience. The initial rollout will target teens in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with plans to extend the offering to additional regions shortly.
What Parents Are Saying About Teen Accounts
Since the launch of Teen Accounts in September, over 54 million teens globally have engaged with this feature, with many more expected as we continue our global expansion. These accounts provide enhanced security, including automatic placement into private settings, stringent content controls, overnight notification silencing, and reminders to take breaks after 60 minutes of use. Additionally, teens can only receive messages from those they follow or are already connected with.
Designed with parental feedback in mind, Teen Accounts incorporate features that directly address their primary concerns. To gauge the effectiveness of these changes, we conducted a survey with Ipsos, commissioned by Meta, to understand parental perspectives on Teen Accounts. The results revealed that:
- Nearly all parents surveyed (94%) found Teen Accounts beneficial, and 85% believe these accounts facilitate positive experiences for their teens on Instagram.
- A significant majority of parents view the default protections as advantageous, with over 90% affirming that each feature supports their teens effectively.
We are enthusiastic about the strides we have made and remain dedicated to ensuring our platforms are safe and supportive environments for teens.
