Instagram introduces "teen accounts" with parental controls for underage users

Meta Platforms has announced the launch of enhanced privacy and parental control features for Instagram accounts of users under 18.

In a move aimed at tackling concerns over social media's impact on youth, all identified underage accounts will be automatically transitioned into new "Teen Accounts," which will be private by default.

These accounts will limit interactions, allowing messages and tags only from people the user follows or is already connected with. The platform will also apply the most restrictive content settings for these users, and teens under 16 will need parental approval to change the default settings.

Parents will gain access to a range of tools to monitor their children's activity and control their app usage. Studies have shown that social media can contribute to heightened levels of depression, anxiety, and learning difficulties among young people.

This move comes amidst growing legal pressure on Meta and other tech giants like TikTok and YouTube, as they face numerous lawsuits over the addictive nature of their platforms. In 2023, 33 U.S. states sued Meta for allegedly misleading the public about the risks posed by its platforms.

Meta's decision to introduce Teen Accounts follows its 2020 decision to halt the development of a teen-specific version of Instagram after concerns were raised by lawmakers and advocacy groups.

Under the new policy, Instagram will prompt teens to close the app after 60 minutes of daily usage, and a built-in "sleep mode" will silence notifications overnight. The update will initially roll out in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia within 60 days, with the European Union to follow later this year.

Global rollout for teens is set to begin in January.