Meta has announced the introduction of “Teen Accounts” on Instagram, which aim to enhance the safety and age-appropriate experiences of teenagers on the platform. These accounts will be set to private by default, have maximum content and messaging restrictions, pause notifications at night, and offer new ways for teens to indicate their content preferences. Notably, parental permission will be required for kids under 16 to change these default settings. While these changes are a positive step, parents and guardians should take the opportunity to engage in conversations with their children about online spaces. The Teen Accounts combine new features with existing tools to create a more visible and controlled experience for teens and caregivers. The default settings play a crucial role in shaping a user’s platform experience, and the inclusion of parental consent for changing settings differentiates the teen experience from the adult one. While most changes focus on safety, it is commendable that Meta has also allowed teens to indicate their content preferences directly. Parents and guardians do not need to intervene explicitly for these changes to take effect, but they can use their own accounts for supervision and access more granular controls. The introduction of Teen Accounts should prompt discussions between parents and children about their online activities. While the changes minimize risks, it is essential for young people to have someone they can trust and turn to if they encounter inappropriate or uncomfortable content. Although teens may still lie about their age, Instagram plans to roll out tools that can identify teenagers even without accurate birth dates. However, the effectiveness of inferring or estimating age remains to be seen. Teen Accounts will be launched in several countries, and child rights advocates have generally welcomed these changes as a positive step. However, it remains uncertain whether Meta’s efforts will satisfy the calls in Australia and other countries to ban young people from social media altogether. Nevertheless, these changes should prompt all platforms catering to kids and teens to provide age-appropriate experiences and minimize risks. If the changes facilitate conversations between parents and young people about their online experiences, it can be considered a success.
More than just new teen accounts on Instagram, achieving true peace of mind necessitates additional measures
