Instagram is undergoing a big change and a new update will see all teenagers on the platform become Teen Accounts. The accounts will have strict protections that are overseen by parents and turned on by default, in a major safety update by parent firm Meta. Under the new system, those under 16 will need a parent’s permission to change any of the new default settings which will be applied to their account.
This will include accounts being automatically private, messaging restrictions limiting them to contact only those they are already connected with, and Meta’s strictest sensitive content settings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instagram (@instagram) Instagram makes massive update in parental control change Instagram's announcement comes as social media platforms continue to face regulatory pressure to better protect users, particularly children, from harmful content online. The Online Safety Act will require firms to protect children from such content which is due to fully come into force in the UK next year.
Platforms, including Instagram, have previously been accused of failing to keep younger users away from harmful material on their sites, with many campaigners calling for stronger regulation to force companies to respond. Former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg, now Meta’s president of global affairs, said the aim of the change was to “shift the balance in favour of parents” when it came to using parental controls, while also hoping it would.