Instagram has launched “Teen Accounts” to improve privacy and parental controls for users under 18. These accounts will be private by default, limiting who can contact them and regulating access to important information. Parents may keep track of their children’s app activity, including setting screen time limits and receiving nightly notifications. Teenagers will also need parental permission to change certain settings. The modifications aim to provide a safer environment for young users, amid growing worries about the influence of social media on mental health and well-being.
This upgrade comes as platforms like as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube face greater scrutiny for their impact on mental health, particularly among young users. With increased concerns about addiction and the link between social media use and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, Instagram’s new privacy features aim to reduce these risks.
For teenagers, this implies more limited access to the platform. Parents now have more options to assist guide their children’s online behavior, and Instagram is working on ways to prevent younger users from lying about their age to avoid limitations.
Key Features of Instagram’s Teen Accounts:
1. Default private account settings.
2. Restriction of sensitive information and communication.
3. Parental control over screen time and participation.
4. Daily app usage reminders and a nightly notification ban from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
5. Additional parental permissions are necessary for users under the age of 16.
