Instagram introduces "Teen Accounts," with safety features for young users

Instagram has strengthened safeguards for users under the age of sixteen by introducing "Teen Accounts." Teens can only receive messages from persons they follow and must approve new followers.

To choose not to get these protections, parental consent is necessary. To provide a safer atmosphere, offensive language in messages and comments will also be automatically filtered out.

Instagram has faced criticism from mental health experts and authorities for contributing to issues such as anxiety, cyberbullying, addiction, eating disorders, and low self-esteem among teenagers.

Advocacy groups and governments around the world, including those in the US and Australia, have been advocating for stricter protections to mitigate these negative impacts. In response to these concerns, some countries have implemented age restrictions on social media platforms, aiming to provide a safer online environment for young users.

The platform's influence on adolescent mental health has led to ongoing debates about the responsibility of social media companies and the need for regulatory measures to protect vulnerable users.

In response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on teenagers' mental health, Meta, Instagram's parent company, has implemented a series of updates aimed at enhancing the safety of young users. With these changes, new teen accounts will now default to private settings, limiting who can view their content and interact with them.

Additionally, the platform will restrict communication between teenagers and unknown individuals, reducing the risk of unwanted contact. Meta has also introduced controls to limit teens' exposure to sensitive content, aiming to create a safer and more positive experience for young users on the platform. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to address criticisms and improve the safety and well-being of adolescents using Instagram.