Wed Sep 18 02:01:51 UTC 2024: ## Instagram Introduces “Teen Accounts” with Stricter Parental Controls
**SAN FRANCISCO** – In a move aimed at addressing concerns over social media’s impact on young users, Instagram, owned by Meta Platforms Inc., has announced the launch of “Teen Accounts” with built-in parental controls. These accounts, available starting today in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, are designed to give parents more control over their children’s online experience.
The new accounts feature restrictions on content, time spent on the app, and communication. Parents will have the ability to monitor their children’s private messages, control the categories of content they access, and set time limits for usage. These controls apply to users under 16, while older teens can opt to disable some of the features.
Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, emphasized the shift in power towards parents, stating, “This really tries to meaningfully shift the balance in favor of parents by basically putting teens into the strictest default settings over what content they see, who they can be connected with, what time they can spend…and crucially, if you’re under 16, they’ll have to ask mum and dad if they can change those settings.”
Meta’s decision to implement these changes comes amidst growing pressure from lawmakers and the public over the potential harm of social media for young people. While the company emphasizes that these measures are not a response to any specific legislation, but a result of listening to parents’ concerns, some see the move as a necessary step to address the company’s history of prioritizing profits over user safety.
These changes are likely to be a significant step towards mitigating concerns about the impact of Instagram on young users. It remains to be seen whether the new “Teen Accounts” will be sufficient to address the ongoing debate around social media and its effects on children.
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