Meta platform, Instagram, has started rolling out Teen Accounts, which is specifically built to protect under-18 users by limiting who can contact them and the content they see.
This comes as a significant overhaul aimed at addressing growing concerns about the negative effects of social media on teenagers.
Announcing the rollout on Tuesday, Meta said it would automatically move all accounts belonging to under-18s to Instagram Teen Accounts, which will be private accounts by default.
Users of such accounts can only be messaged and tagged by accounts they follow or are already connected to, while sensitive content settings will be reduced to the most restrictive available.
Meta said parents would get a suite of settings to monitor who their children are engaging with and limit their use of the app.
“We know parents want to feel confident that their teens can use social media to connect with their friends and explore their interests, without having to worry about unsafe or inappropriate experiences.
“We understand parents’ concerns, and that’s why we’re reimagining our apps for teens with new Teen Accounts. This new experience is designed to better support parents, and give them peace of mind that their teens are safe with the right protections in place,” Meta said.
Aside from being private accounts by default, Instagram said there will also be several other restrictions on the Teens Accounts, which include:
Meta said it will place the identified users into teen accounts within 60 days in the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia, and in the European Union later this year. Teens around the world will start to get teen accounts in January.
Several studies have linked social media use to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and learning disabilities, particularly in young users.