Instagram is strengthening its commitment to protecting young users with a major update to its Teen Accounts initiative. This time, the safeguards are expanding beyond Instagram to Facebook and Messenger as well.
Instagram announced new built-in protections for teen users alongside the launch of Teen Accounts across Meta’s wider suite of apps. These protections are now available on Facebook and Messenger, a move designed to bring parents greater peace of mind as their teens navigate the world of social media.
"We're going to keep adding to Teen Accounts. We're going to keep talking to parents and make sure that it is speaking to them and that they know and understand what experiences their teen is having," Instagram Global Director for Public Policy Tara Hopkins told Fox News Digital.
Key New Protections For Teens
Under the new measures, teens under 16 years old will be restricted from using Instagram Live without parental approval. Additionally, any images suspected to contain nudity sent via direct messages (DMs) will be automatically blurred — and teens will now need parental permission to turn off this safety feature.
Meta says these updates directly respond to parental concerns about teens' online exposure. In a recent survey commissioned by Instagram, 43 percent of parents admitted they struggle to know if their teen is having an age-appropriate social media experience.
Hopkins emphasized that the company’s ultimate goal is to be an ally to parents, not a barrier. "We see youth protection and keeping young people who are using our platforms safe as like our number one priority," she said. "We want parents to feel like we're on their side, we're taking the burden off them."
A Growing Movement Toward Safer Social Media
Since introducing Teen Accounts in September 2024, Meta has already transitioned 54 million teens into these safer environments — a number that continues to grow as the company expands globally.
Teen Accounts automatically set new profiles for users under 18 to private, restrict who can message them, limit exposure to sensitive content, and require parental approval to change many default settings. Teens are also encouraged to take healthy breaks with new time limit reminders and a "sleep mode" that mutes notifications from 10 PM to 8 AM.
According to Meta's internal data, a remarkable 97 percent of 13- to 15-year-old users have kept these protections turned on.
"It's really a game changer for parents," said Antigone Davis, Meta’s head of global safety, in a previous interview with FOX Business Network. "Tens of millions of teens will have an entirely new experience on the platform... putting them into automatic protections if they're under the age of 18."
Listening to Parents' Voices
Meta’s recent efforts have been strongly shaped by listening to parents. The company’s survey of 1,000 U.S. parents found that 85 percent agreed Teen Accounts made it easier for them to help their teens have a positive experience on Instagram, while 94 percent said the features were helpful overall.
However, generational differences persist: 26 percent of parents over age 45 said it’s hard to discuss social media with their teens because "it doesn’t seem like a big deal" — compared to just 18 percent of younger parents.
To bridge that gap, Instagram is taking extra steps. Hopkins shared that the company is continually updating its Meta Family Center, partnering with academic experts and nonprofit organizations, and even co-sponsoring a parenting podcast focused on tech use and screen time.
Responding to Growing Scrutiny
With legislation like the Senate-passed Kids Online Safety Act pending in the House, there’s heightened scrutiny on how tech companies protect minors. Some have questioned whether Meta’s rollout of Teen Accounts is in anticipation of government regulation.
But Davis insists the move was inspired by parents themselves: "This launch was really designed to take in parents' concerns, to take in their biggest concerns and respond specifically to those concerns," she said.
Hopkins echoed that sentiment, saying, "We’re allowing [teens] to have the fun, inspiration and connectivity that Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger really allow for while making safety the number one priority."
As Meta continues to roll out its Teen Accounts worldwide, the company says it remains committed to listening, evolving, and leading the charge to make social media a safer space for the next generation.
