Instagram's New Teen Account Settings: What Parents Need to Know

Understanding Instagram's New Teen Account Features

Instagram has launched essential teen account settings aimed at giving parents greater control over their children's social media engagement. These features include automatic private settings for teen accounts, enhanced messaging restrictions, and strict content limits, ensuring a safer online experience for young users.

What New Limits Are in Place?

• Private Accounts: Teen accounts are now set to private by default, requiring approval for new followers.
• Messaging Restrictions: Teens can only receive messages from followers.
• Content Filters: Content relating to sensitive topics is not shown to teen users.

• Screen Time Notifications: Users receive reminders to limit their usage after an hour.
• Sleep Mode: Notifications are muted from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Addressing Workarounds and Verification

While these measures enhance safety, 16 and 17-year-olds can opt out of these settings. Instagram is also ramping up age verification processes through AI technology, making it more challenging for teens to misrepresent their age.

Setting Up Parental Controls

Parents can also implement supervisory controls via the Family Center in the mobile app, allowing them to monitor interactions without reading messages. This feature includes limits on daily usage and content monitoring.

Implementation and Global Rollout

All users under 18 signing up in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia will automatically be placed under these new restrictions. Existing accounts will be transitioned by mid-November.