Instagram has rolled out a new type of account, called “Teen Accounts,” specifically designed for users under 16. This move aims to offer a safer online environment for young users and gives parents greater control over how their children use the app.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Instagram now requires new users under 16 to automatically receive a Teen Account upon registration. Existing users who are under 16 will also be notified about this change, and Instagram plans to begin transitioning these accounts next week. The Teen Accounts come with specific privacy settings and restrictions that prioritize safety and parental oversight.
Teen Accounts will be private by default, with several restrictions that parents can manage. For instance, teens can only send messages, tags, or mentions to accounts they already follow. The app will also remind them to log off after 60 minutes of use daily. A “Sleep Mode” will activate from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., muting notifications and automatically sending responses to direct messages.
Instagram will also enforce content restrictions for these accounts. Content considered sensitive or harmful, such as violent images or posts promoting cosmetic procedures, will be set to the most restrictive level. Additionally, teens will have the option to select specific topics they want to see more of in the app’s Explore section.
Parental Controls and Supervision
Parents will have enhanced tools to monitor and control their children’s activity on the app. They can see who their children are messaging, set daily time limits, and control when the app can be used. Parents can also monitor what topics their kids follow. If a teen wishes to adjust these settings, they will need to establish parental supervision. Any changes will require parental approval, allowing parents to maintain oversight.
Instagram recognizes the challenge of users falsifying their ages to gain access to adult accounts. The platform is developing technology to identify and reclassify these users into appropriate account types to address this issue.
Global Rollout and Future Plans
The transition to Teen Accounts will happen over the next few months. Instagram plans to move all teen users in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia to Teen Accounts within 60 days. In the European Union, this shift will be completed by the end of the year, and globally by January of next year. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, plans to introduce Teen Accounts across all its platforms starting next year.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Instagram’s introduction of Teen Accounts is a crucial step towards creating a safer online environment for younger users while providing parents with more oversight control. As the social network improves the technology to enforce age-appropriate settings and content, its global rollout of the new account types will extend to more regions. By next year, Meta aims to implement similar safety measures across all its platforms, further enhancing online safety for young users.