Meta, the parent company of Instagram, announced on Tuesday new “built-in protections” for its Teen Accounts. These updates are aimed at providing a safer and more secure online environment for teenagers on the popular social media platform.
Instagram has been under scrutiny for its handling of underage users and the potential risks they face on the platform. In response to these concerns, Meta had previously introduced restrictions for Teen Accounts in 2020. However, the recent updates take this a step further, with a new requirement for parents to consent before children under 16 can go “live” on the platform or unblur nudity in images they receive in direct messages.
This move by Meta is a welcome one, as it acknowledges the need for parental supervision and involvement in their child’s online activities. By requiring parental consent for live streaming and unblurring of explicit content, Instagram is taking proactive measures to protect young users from potentially harmful content.
In addition to these new restrictions, Instagram has also introduced a new feature that allows parents to monitor their child’s direct messages. This feature will enable parents to see the content of their child’s DMs, including images and videos that may have been sent or received. This added level of transparency will help parents keep a closer eye on their child’s online interactions and intervene if necessary.
These updates are not just limited to Teen Accounts, but also extend to all new accounts created by users under the age of 16. This means that all new users in this age group will automatically have their accounts set to private, and will not be able to change this setting without parental consent. This is a crucial step in protecting young users from potential predators and cyberbullying, as private accounts are less likely to be targeted.
Meta’s efforts to improve safety measures for Teen Accounts are commendable and show a commitment to creating a safer online environment for young users. In addition to these updates, Instagram also offers resources for parents on how to talk to their children about online safety and provides tips for setting healthy boundaries and managing screen time.
It is important to note that these updates do not replace the role of parents in guiding their children’s online behavior. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of parents to educate their children about the potential risks of social media and to monitor their online activities. However, these new built-in protections provide an added layer of security and support for parents in this digital age.
In conclusion, Meta’s latest updates for Teen Accounts on Instagram are a step in the right direction towards creating a safer online space for young users. By requiring parental consent for certain actions and offering more transparency, Instagram is taking proactive measures to protect its younger users. It is now up to parents to actively engage in their child’s online activities and to use these new tools to ensure their safety on social media.
