Instagram is rolling out a feature for teens in India to keep them safe. This feature limits what underage users can do on the platform and requires parental approval for certain settings.
As per the blog post, the Meta-owned platform will set the teen accounts to private by default. This applies to existing users under 16 and new users under 18. Private accounts mean only the approved users can see the teenager’s posts and comments.
Additionally, Teens will have the strictest messaging settings enabled, allowing them to receive messages only from people they follow or are already connected with, as per the blog. The platform will also limit the tags and mentions. Instagram will also block harmful words in comments and messages to protect teens from bullying or harassment.
The platform will also restrict what teens can consume on the app. It will block ads for procedures and content showing physical fights from Explore and Reels. Once teenagers use Instagram for 60 minutes a day, it will send a reminder to take a break. Sleep mode will also automatically turn on from 10 PM to 7 AM.
For parents, Teen Accounts provides supervision tools that allow them to monitor and manage their teen’s experience, including approving changes to safety settings and setting daily screen-time limits.
