Meta has introduced a significant update to Instagram’s safety measures, restricting teens under 16 from livestreaming without parental permission. This new policy, which is part of a broader initiative to improve child protection across its platforms, also includes updates for Facebook and Messenger.
New Parental Controls for Teen Accounts
Starting today, teens aged under 16 will need to get approval from their parents or guardians to access livestreaming features on Instagram. The change is aimed at providing more control to parents, ensuring that teens cannot engage in livestreaming without oversight. In addition, Meta is introducing other key safety features for under-18 users, including a requirement for parental consent to disable a setting that blurs images suspected of containing nudity in direct messages.
Meta also revealed that its platform’s teen accounts, which were first rolled out last year, will now apply the same safety measures to Facebook and Messenger. These accounts will have preset restrictions, such as:
- Daily time limits that parents can set for their children
- Restrictions on app usage during certain hours
- Visibility into the people their child is messaging
These measures are part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance online safety for younger users, especially as concerns about social media’s impact on children continue to grow.
Expanded Safety Features Across Platforms
The updated safety features will first roll out in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with plans for expansion in the future. Teenagers aged 16 to 17 will have more flexibility in managing their accounts, allowing them to adjust certain settings without requiring parental approval.
Meta has highlighted that over 54 million users under 18 currently use teen accounts on Instagram, with over 90% of users aged 13 to 15 maintaining the default safety settings. These efforts reflect the company’s commitment to improving security for its younger audience.
Mixed Reactions from Child Safety Advocates
While the updates have been welcomed by many, including child protection groups like the NSPCC, some advocates are urging Meta to do more. The NSPCC emphasized that while these new tools are a step in the right direction, stronger actions are needed to proactively prevent harmful content from being shared on the platform.
Matthew Sowemimo, associate head of online child safety at the NSPCC, stated, “These tools must be paired with stronger action to prevent dangerous material from spreading.” The group continues to push for more stringent policies to ensure the safety of children online.
UK Online Safety Law and Meta’s Commitment
Meta’s update also aligns with the UK’s new Online Safety Act, which mandates that social media platforms remove harmful content, such as material related to child abuse or self-harm. The law aims to protect under-18s from exposure to inappropriate material and prevent the spread of harmful content.
However, concerns have been raised that the Online Safety Act could be weakened during ongoing UK-US trade talks. Child safety advocates have warned that any dilution of the law would be detrimental, calling it a potential “appalling sellout.”
Nick Clegg, Meta’s vice president of global affairs, explained that the company’s latest updates aim to give parents more control over their children’s social media usage. “We’re focused on empowering parents to make informed decisions about how their children interact with social media,” he said.
Moving Toward Safer Social Media Spaces
While Meta’s latest update marks a significant shift in its approach to child safety, ongoing dialogue between lawmakers, child safety advocates, and social media platforms will be crucial in ensuring that these changes have a meaningful impact. As the company continues to roll out these updates, the conversation around online safety for children remains as important as ever.
