Instagram is introducing Teen Accounts in Canada, designed to make the platform safer for young users.
These new accounts automatically come with built-in protections that limit who can contact teens, control the content they see, and include features like Sleep Mode, which mutes notifications overnight. Teens under 16 will need their parents’ permission to change any of these settings (similar to Messenger Kids).
The Teen Accounts aim to give parents peace of mind while their teens connect with friends and explore their interests on social media. Key features include private accounts by default, strict messaging controls, and content filters to reduce exposure to inappropriate material.
Parents can also supervise their teen’s activity, set usage limits, and decide when their teens can access the app. Say good-bye to the dreaded ‘doom scrolling’ now that limits are in place.
To tackle the issue of teens lying about their age, Instagram is developing new age verification technology to identify accounts that list an adult age but actually belong to teens. This technology will help place these accounts into Teen Accounts automatically, ensuring protections are in place.
“Instagram Teen Accounts reflect the importance of tailoring teens’ online experiences to their developmental stages, and implementing appropriate protections. Younger adolescents are more vulnerable as their skills are still emerging and require additional safeguards and protection. Overall, the settings are age-specific, with younger and older teens being offered different protections,” said Rachel Rodgers, PHd Associate Professor of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, in a statement to iPhone in Canada.
Instagram will begin rolling out Teen Accounts to new and existing users in Canada, the U.S., the UK, and Australia within the next 60 days, with plans to expand globally early next year. We’re surprised it took this long for a teen version of Instagram, but glad that it’s finally here.
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