Instagram has announced that it will automatically set all new accounts for users under 18 to private, in a move to enhance safety for younger users. This policy will begin on Tuesday for users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, with existing accounts transitioning to these new privacy settings over the next two months. Adjustments for users in the European Union are expected to follow later this year.
Instagram's parent company, Meta, recognises that many teenagers may misrepresent their ages online. To combat this, the platform will implement more stringent age verification measures. For instance, if a user attempts to register with an adult birth date, they will be required to verify their actual age. Meta is also developing technology designed to identify and restrict accounts that falsely claim to be adult users.
ALSO READ: Instagram New Feature: You Can Now Comment On Your Friends' Story For Everyone To See, Here's How
What Measures Will Be Implemented
The newly established teen accounts will feature several protective measures. For example, direct messaging will be restricted, allowing teens to receive messages only from users they follow. Additionally, content deemed sensitive, such as videos depicting violence or promoting cosmetic enhancements, will be limited. To encourage healthier usage patterns, teens will receive notifications after spending over 60 minutes on the app, and a “sleep mode” will disable notifications from 10 pm to 7 am.
While these privacy measures will be mandatory for all teen users, those aged 16 and 17 will have the option to disable them. For users under 16, parental permission will be required to modify account settings.
This announcement comes amidst mounting criticism and legal scrutiny faced by Meta over the impact of its platforms on youth mental health. Several US states are pursuing lawsuits alleging that Instagram and Facebook contribute to mental health issues among young users through design features that promote addictive behaviours.