Instagram is taking a big step towards keeping young users safe on its platform. Starting today, all new and existing accounts held by teenagers will automatically be switched to a “Teen Account”. This new account type comes with built-in protections that are designed to safeguard teenagers from online threats.
One of the main changes is that teenagers will now need to ask their parents’ permission to opt out of these protections, which are designed to limit who can contact them and what type of content they can view. The new account also restricts who can tag or mention them, and filters out offensive words and phrases from their direct messages and comments.
Additionally, teenagers will be notified to close the app after an hour of use each day, and Instagram will automatically turn off notifications at night to promote healthy screen habits. Parents will also be able to set daily time limits and schedule breaks for their teenagers.
These changes are aimed at addressing concerns that Instagram’s previous teen protections were not enough to keep young users safe. With the new Teen Accounts, parents will have more control over their teenagers’ online activities and will be able to monitor their use of the app.
The new feature also allows teenagers to choose topics they want to see more of on the Explore page, and parents can see what topics their child has chosen. They will also be able to block their teenagers from using the app at night and set daily time limits.
Overall, Instagram’s new Teen Accounts are a step in the right direction towards keeping young users safe and promoting healthy online habits.
