Meta is set to launch Teen Accounts for Facebook and Messenger. This feature, which automatically integrates young users into an app experience with built-in protections, will initially be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans to extend to other regions in the future.
The introduction of Teen Accounts began on Instagram last September after the platform, along with other social networks, faced scrutiny from U.S. legislators for inadequate protection of teenagers. In the recent announcement, Meta confirmed plans to enhance the protections within Teen Accounts on Instagram.
With its expansion to Facebook and Messenger, teenagers will automatically be placed into a tailored experience aimed at minimizing exposure to inappropriate content and unwanted interactions. Users under 16 will require parental consent to alter any settings.
Though specifics about the restrictions teens will face were not detailed in Meta’s blog post, the company informed TechCrunch that teenagers can only receive messages from individuals they follow or have previously messaged. Additionally, only their friends can view and respond to their stories, and features like tags, mentions, and comments will be restricted to their friends or followers.
Teens will also be prompted to exit the social networks after an hour of daily use and will be automatically enrolled in “Quiet Mode” overnight.
Regarding Instagram’s new measures, users under 16 will not be allowed to go live without parent approval. Additionally, parental permission will be required for teens to disable the feature that blurs images suspected of containing nudity in direct messages.
These changes underscore Meta’s ongoing efforts to address concerns over teen mental health linked to social media usage. These concerns have been highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General and several states, some of which have begun enforcing restrictions on teens using social media without parental consent.
Meta provided insight into the progress of Teen Accounts on Instagram, stating that 54 million teenagers have already transitioned to these accounts, with more to be added as the global rollout continues. The company reported that 97% of teens aged 13-15 maintain their built-in protections.
A study commissioned by Meta and conducted by Ipsos revealed that nearly all surveyed parents (94%) find Teen Accounts beneficial, and 85% believe they facilitate positive experiences for teens on Instagram.
