What’s Being Done to Protect Teens on Instagram and Messenger?
Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, will be using automated systems and giving parents more visibilityto protect teens on their platforms.
How Does Meta Currently Protect Teens?
Prior to these latest changes, Meta already did the following:
- Messages to teens from adults over 19 are blocked, unless the teen follows the adult
- Teens receive safety notices when messaged by adults who have previously exhibited suspicious behavior
- “Take a Break”
- Suggests taking a break after scrolling for a ‘certain amount of time’
- Daily Limit, allowing users to set a maximum amount of time in the app
- Quiet Mode: limits notifications and messages when enabled
What are the new features?
The following features, available in the US, UK, and Canada to start, rolled out on June 27, 2023.
Invites for DM
Adults must now send an invite to connect via direct message. Only one invite is allowed to be sent per day, limiting the reach of potential abuse on the platforms. This limit is lifted if the teen follows the adult sending the message.
Text Only
All new message requests will be text only. No photos, videos, voice messages, or calls will be accepted until the invite is approved. While not perfect, it will limit abuse.
Learn why it’s important for everyone, especially teens, to be able to control their online experiences. Dick Pic Culture: How do Teenage Girls Navigate it?
Managing Time to Protect Teens
Meta has finally acknowledging that outside influences aren’t the only way their platforms can harm teens.
When a ‘Take a Break’ message comes up, it will recommend teens set a reminder to stop scrolling. During focus testing, “more than 90% of teens keep these reminders on.”
‘Take a Break’ will also expand to include Facebook. Facebook’s explicit limit will be 20 minutes. Unlike Instagram’s vague, ‘a certain amount of time.’
Meta is exploring a nudge that will suggest teens close the app if they’re scrolling Reels at night.
Quiet mode will be expanding globally in coming weeks.
If you’re unfamiliar with sextortion, check out Dr. Jen’s article How to Protect Your Child from Sextortion.
Additional Parental Supervision to Protect Teens
Meta is giving parents a bigger window into their teens’ activities online.
When a teen blocks someone, Instagram will suggest the teen allows their parents to supervise their account.
Parents with access will now be able to see mutuals of both followers and those following their teens.
Meta has also expanded options for notifications from Parental Supervision on Instagram.
Conclusion
All of these tools are a good start, but it can’t replace having an actual conversation with your child.
Don’t let a billion dollar company be the medium you use to communicate with your children. Sit them down and talk to them about the realities of an always-connected world.
Link to Meta’s Post on these updates.
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