Meta launches Family Centre programme on Instagram

Meta has rolled out a parental supervision tools feature and a ‘family centre’ programme on its photo and video sharing application ‘Instagram’, to ensure the safety of young users and allow parents to manage the time spent by their children on the site.

With the latest supervision tools, parents would be able to keep track of the time their wards spend on Instagram and also access the accounts they follow. Parents and guardians would also be notified when youngsters raise a complaint on Instagram.

The Family Centre is an education hub where parents and guardians can access resources from experts on a range of topics including online safety and mental health. Guides which focus on dealing with exam stress, an LGBTQ guide on being safe online, creating safe spaces, and healthy digital habits have been made accessible to users.

Natasha Jog, Facebook India (Meta) Instagram, Head-Public Policy, said, “Over the years, we have introduced many age-appropriate features and resources that help in enhancing young people's experience on Instagram. The idea here is to encourage conversations between parents and children on what their experience online is like. These supervision tools are mechanisms we can put in place for young people to remain safe, and ensure at the same time that they have their privacy and autonomy while using Instagram.”