Meta Reveals Plans To Hide Age-Inappropriate Content For Teenagers On Instagram Facebook

eenagers are now automatically placed in the most restrictive content control setting on Meta-owned Instagram as well as Facebook.

Social networking giant and Facebook parent Meta has revealed plans to hide additional forms of age-inappropriate content for teenagers on Instagram and Facebook, aligning with recommendations by experts. The company is implementing an automatic placement of teens into the most stringent content control setting across both platforms, in a bid to conceal age-inappropriate content for teens.

Teenagers are now automatically placed in the most restrictive content control setting on Meta-owned Instagram as well as Facebook. This setting is applied to new teen accounts upon joining and is being expanded to existing teen users.

"We’re automatically placing teens into the most restrictive content control setting on Instagram and Facebook. We already apply this setting for new teens when they join Instagram and Facebook, and are now expanding it to teens who are already using these apps. Our content recommendation controls – known as 'Sensitive Content Control' on Instagram and 'Reduce' on Facebook – make it more difficult for people to come across potentially sensitive content or accounts in places like Search and Explore," the company wrote in a blog post.

"We regularly consult with experts in adolescent development, psychology and mental health to help make our platforms safe and age-appropriate for young people, including improving our understanding of which types of content may be less appropriate for teens," the company added.

Thcompany has emphasised that its aim is to provide teens with secure and age-appropriate experiences on all its platforms.

Over the past decade, Meta has created over 30 tools and resources for teens and their parents, along with developing policies and technology to address rule-breaking or sensitive content. 

Aiming to make sure teens are regularly checking their safety and privacy settings on Instagram and they are aware of the more private settings available, Meta is sending new notifications encouraging them to update their settings to a more private experience with a single tap. If teens choose to “Turn on recommended settings”, it will automatically change their settings to restrict who can repost their content, tag or mention them, or include their content in Reels Remixes. 

Meta will also ensure only their followers can message them and help hide offensive comments.