LONDON: Meta-owned Instagram has launched a new feature called “Teen Accounts,” aimed at providing enhanced safety and privacy for children using the platform. This new feature will give parents greater control over their children’s online activities.
The feature is designed to limit exposure to harmful content and restrict interactions with strangers online.
The Teen Accounts feature will be automatically activated for new users aged 13 to 15, while existing users within this age group will be transitioned to the new account settings over the next 60 days in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Key Features of Teen Accounts
All Teen Accounts will be set to private automatically, ensuring that content visibility is restricted to only approved followers. This prevents non-followers from contacting young users.
Teens will be limited to messaging only those people they follow or have an existing connection with. This measure aims to reduce the risk of unwanted interactions and cyberbullying.
The new accounts will have stringent settings to limit exposure to potentially harmful content, including materials related to violence or cosmetic procedures.
Parents will have the ability to monitor their children’s online activities, including direct messages and the types of content they consume on the platform.
Teen users will be encouraged to engage with content related to positive interests such as sports, music, and art, promoting a healthier online experience.
