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Instagram, owned by Meta, announced on Tuesday (October 14) a major overhaul of its platform to limit teenagers' exposure to content deemed inappropriate for their age. The update will restrict teen-specific accounts to viewing content similar to what is allowed in PG-13 movies, blocking posts with strong language, risky stunts, and other potentially harmful material.
According to Meta's announcement, teenagers will need parental permission to change these default settings. The company is also introducing a stricter setting that parents can enable, which will further limit content visibility and interaction capabilities for teens.
These changes come amid ongoing criticism of social media's impact on young users, with reports suggesting that teens have been exposed to age-inappropriate sexual content and material related to self-harm. Meta has faced scrutiny over its efforts to safeguard young users, with critics like Josh Golin of Fairplay expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures. Golin emphasized the need for real accountability rather than just public relations efforts.
In response, Meta stated that the new restrictions are more comprehensive than previous measures, aiming to prevent teens from interacting with accounts that share inappropriate content or have unsuitable links in their bios. Additionally, artificial intelligence features will be adjusted to ensure age-appropriate interactions.
While some experts, such as Desmond Upton Patton from the University of Pennsylvania, see this as an opportunity for parents to engage with their teens about safe social media use, others remain cautious about the practical implementation of these changes. The updates are part of Meta's broader strategy to address concerns over the safety and well-being of young users on its platforms.