Meta Announces Updates to Teen Accounts Feature to Enhance Safety Measures

Enhanced Safety Measures for Minors on Social Media

US-based Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has announced a series of updates to its Teen Accounts feature aimed at enhancing safety measures for users under the age of 16. The updates, which will first be tested in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, aim to limit the use of the platform by minors and teenagers.

Parental Permission Required for Livestreaming

One of the key updates is that users under the age of 16 will no longer be able to use the livestream feature without parental permission. This move is aimed at preventing minors from potentially exposing themselves to online predators or sharing content that may be considered explicit or sensitive.

Enhanced Private Message Security

Another update will see users younger than 16 unable to disable the "automatic blurring" feature in private messages. This feature, which has been introduced to prevent the sharing of explicit content, will remain enabled by default for users under 16.

Expansion of Teen Accounts Feature to Facebook and Messenger

The Teen Accounts feature, which was introduced on Instagram in September, will also be expanded to Facebook and Messenger. This will ensure that all three platforms have similar safety measures in place for minors.

Testing and Implementation

The updates will first be tested in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia in the coming months. This will allow Meta to assess the effectiveness of the new measures and make any necessary adjustments before rolling them out more widely.

Background and Context

The moves come amid a growing concern about the impact of social media on young minds. Research has highlighted the potential dangers of social media use by minors, including exposure to explicit content, online predators, and cyberbullying.

Importance of Social Media Safety for Minors

The push to limit or ban social media use under a certain age is gaining momentum globally. As social media continues to play an increasingly prominent role in modern life, it is essential that safety measures are put in place to protect minors from potential harm.

Conclusion

The updates to the Teen Accounts feature are a welcome step towards enhancing safety measures for minors on social media. By limiting the use of livestreaming and private messaging features, Meta is taking a proactive approach to protecting young users from potential harm.

FAQs

• What are the updates to the Teen Accounts feature on Instagram?
  • Users under 16 will no longer be able to use the livestream feature without parental permission, and will not be able to disable the automatic blurring feature in private messages.
• Where will the updates be tested first?
  • The updates will first be tested in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
• Why are the updates being introduced?
  • The updates are aimed at limiting the use of the platform by minors and enhancing safety measures, in light of growing concerns about the impact of social media on young minds.