Instagram’s Teen Safety Features Expand to Facebook, Messenger

In an effort to bolster online safety for younger users, Meta has announced an expansion of its “Teen Accounts” feature to include Facebook and Messenger.

Initially launched on Instagram in September 2024, this initiative aims to provide a safer and more controlled environment for teenagers.​ From now on, teens under 16 will require parental consent to access certain features.

• Instagram Live Restrictions: Users under 16 are prohibited from initiating live broadcasts unless granted permission by a parent or guardian.​
• Direct Message Content Controls: A new feature will automatically blur images containing suspected nudity in direct messages. Teens will need parental approval to disable this protective measure.

The rollout will begin in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans to reach additional regions in the near future.

Since the introduction of Teen Accounts on Instagram, 97% of teens aged 13 to 15 have maintained the default protective settings. Furthermore, a survey conducted by Ipsos revealed that 94% of U.S. parents found the Teen Accounts helpful, and 85% believed these protections facilitated positive experiences for their teens on Instagram.

This expansion to Facebook and Messenger will offer similar automatic safeguards designed to limit exposure to inappropriate content and unwanted interactions.

Meta says it is committed to continuously refining its platforms to better serve and protect teen users. This includes exploring industry-wide approaches to age verification and collaborating with policymakers to establish robust safety standards across the digital landscape.

Meta’s expansion of Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger, along with the introduction of additional protections on Instagram, aims to create a safer and more supportive environment for teens across its platforms.