Meta Introduces New 'Teen Accounts' for Instagram Users Under 18

Meta is introducing new 'teen accounts' for Instagram users under 18 to provide parents more control over their activities. The feature includes time limits, nighttime app blocking, and monitoring message exchanges, affecting new and gradually existing teen users in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. Meta emphasizes parental empowerment with this change.

Meta is updating Instagram by introducing new 'teen accounts' to provide parents with greater control over the app usage of users under 18.

Initially affecting new teen users, this feature will expand to existing teenagers' accounts over the next few months.

Key parental control features include setting daily time limits, blocking Instagram usage during specific times, monitoring message exchanges, and viewing content categories.

Teenagers under 16 will require parental permission to alter these settings, while those aged 16 and 17 can do so independently.

This change will apply to users in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.

Meta's global affairs president, Nick Clegg, stated that the objective is to empower parents.

Internet safety campaigner Ian Russell expressed hope but remains cautious based on past experiences.

This feature follows the Australian government's proposed legislation to raise the minimum social media access age.

Meta's global safety director, Antigone Davis, emphasized that the update is parent-driven rather than enforced by legislation.

The UK is also observing Australia's model for potential future implementation.