Instagram Launches Teen Accounts for Safer Online Experience

Instagram is introducing a new feature called Teen Accounts, designed to provide a safer online experience for users under 16. The feature aims to address concerns about the potential negative impact of social media on teenage mental health and comes with built-in safety tools that make it easier for parents to monitor their teen's activity.

Enhanced Safety Features for Teen Accounts

Teen Accounts offer a range of features that prioritize safety and parental control. These include limited interactions, where only approved contacts can interact with teen users, restricted content, and private accounts that are automatically set to private. Messaging restrictions allow direct messages (DMs) to be exchanged only with approved contacts, and a Sleep Mode feature silences notifications and disables DM sending between 10 PM and 7 AM.

Parents have access to various settings that allow them to manage their teen's account, including screen time limits, content preferences, and the ability to monitor their activity.

Phased Rollout and Expansion

Starting this week, new Instagram users under 16 will automatically be categorized as Teen Accounts. Existing teenage users will receive notifications about these changes and accompanying safety features. The transition from regular accounts to Teen Accounts will take place over 60 days, beginning next week.

Initially, the feature will be rolled out in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several European Union countries. Teen Accounts will be available worldwide, including Indonesia, by January 2025. This feature will also be introduced on other Meta platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook in the same year.

Addressing Concerns and Enhancing Safety

The introduction of Teen Accounts reflects Instagram's commitment to creating a safe online environment for teenagers. The platform has faced criticism regarding its potential negative impact on teenage mental health. Previously, Instagram planned to launch Instagram Kids, but this feature was ultimately abandoned. Instead, Instagram offers parental supervision features such as account and content restrictions, and time management controls.

In June 2022, Instagram launched "Parental Control" allowing parents to monitor their teen's activity. The "Take a Break" feature prompts users to take a break from social media, encouraging them to engage in other activities for better mental well-being.

With these features, Instagram aims to enhance the teenage user experience and ensure their safety online. The platform seeks to create a balance between providing a fun and engaging platform while prioritizing the well-being of its younger users.