In a groundbreaking move, Instagram announced on Tuesday the launch of “Teen Accounts,” designed specifically for users under the age of 18. These accounts come with built-in privacy protections, marking a significant shift in the platform’s approach to safeguarding young users.
Automatic enrollment and parental permissions
The “Teen Accounts” will automatically apply to all users under 18, impacting both current and new users. Importantly, teens under 16 will require parental permission to alter their account settings, reflecting Instagram’s commitment to involving parents in digital safety.
Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, unveiled the new feature during a live interview on “Good Morning America.” He emphasized, “They’re an automatic set of protections for teens that try to proactively address the top concerns that we’ve heard from parents about teens online.”
Rollout and features
The initiative begins with new users and will extend to existing accounts within 60 days. Key features include customizable content preferences for age-appropriate topics and a “sleep mode” from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., with additional parental controls for time management.
Teen Accounts will default to more restrictive settings, limiting exposure to unfamiliar content in search functions. Teens will need parental approval to switch to public accounts, ensuring that only accepted followers can interact with them.
Messaging will be restricted to existing connections, and parents will have visibility into their teen’s interactions. Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, highlighted the ease of monitoring: “The idea is to really make it simpler, so they [parents] have their own center.”
The changes respond to growing concerns about social media’s impact on youth mental health. Research links heavy social media use with depression, anxiety, and reduced life satisfaction among teens. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has previously warned of the potential harm.
Corporate responsibility and apology
In January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized for the negative impacts of social media on youth, reiterating the company’s dedication to safety. “This is why we invest so much and are going to continue doing industry-leading efforts,” he stated.
Davis explained that the changes emerged from discussions with parents and teens worldwide. “We’ve had these incremental changes along the way,” she noted. The company aims to standardize safety measures while building technology to verify users’ ages.
Instagram’s Teen Accounts represent a significant advancement in digital safety for young users, providing robust protections and empowering parents to guide their teens’ online experiences.