Instagram’s Teen Accounts Launched in Singapore with Enhanced Protections

Limitations on Content Access and Interactions

Meta has announced the launch of Instagram’s Teen Accounts in Singapore, which aims to provide a safer and more controlled environment for teenagers to use the platform. The launch follows the initial announcement of the platform in September last year. Singaporean teenagers over 13 and under 18-years-old will be automatically placed into the Teen Accounts within the following months, with those under 16 only allowed to change these settings with parental permission, according to Meta.

Built-in Protections

The Teen Accounts come with built-in protections that limit the content minors can access and who can contact them on the platform. These protections include limiting the content that can be accessed, filtering out offensive language, and only allowing users to be tagged by those they follow.

Parental Supervision

Meta has also introduced additional parental supervision, allowing parents to check who their teenage child is in contact with on the app. Parents can also monitor their child’s screen time and set limits on their usage.

Private by Default

The Meta-owned application will be private by default, and teenagers can only be tagged by those they follow. Additionally, offensive language will be filtered out, and users will be notified to leave the app after 60 minutes of usage per day.

Sleep Mode

The app’s new Sleep Mode will mute notifications from 10pm until 7am daily, helping teenagers to get a good night’s sleep and reducing the risk of distractions.

Safeguards

Should teenagers try to sign up for a new account with an adult birth date, Meta has come up with “safeguards” to prevent such incidents. Teenage users are required to verify their age by either uploading their identification details, recording a self-video, or asking mutual friends to confirm their age. The platform said the safeguards are being tested to “make sure teens and adults are in the right experience for their age group”.

Conclusion

The launch of Instagram’s Teen Accounts in Singapore marks an important step towards providing a safer and more controlled environment for teenagers to use social media. The built-in protections, parental supervision, and safeguards all work together to limit the risk of unsafe or inappropriate experiences for minors.

FAQs

Q: Who will be automatically placed into the Teen Accounts?
A: Singaporean teenagers over 13 and under 18-years-old will be automatically placed into the Teen Accounts.

Q: Can parents change the settings on the Teen Accounts?
A: Those under 16 will only be allowed to change the settings with parental permission.

Q: What kind of content will be limited on the Teen Accounts?
A: The Teen Accounts will limit the content that minors can access and who can contact them on the platform.

Q: Can parents monitor their child’s screen time on the Teen Accounts?
A: Yes, parents can monitor their child’s screen time and set limits on their usage.

Q: What is the purpose of the Sleep Mode?
A: The Sleep Mode is designed to help teenagers get a good night’s sleep and reduce the risk of distractions.