Meta Launches New Restricted Teen Accounts for Enhanced Safety on Facebook and Messenger
Meta is revolutionizing the way teens interact on social media with the introduction of Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger. This innovative feature is designed to enhance safety for young users by providing built-in protections, and it will initially be available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, with plans for future expansion.
What are Teen Accounts?
Teen Accounts, which first launched on Instagram last September, were developed in response to growing concerns from U.S. lawmakers about the safety and mental health of teenage users on social media platforms. With the recent announcement, Meta aims to extend these protections to Facebook and Messenger.
Key Features of Teen Accounts
- Controlled Interactions: Teens will only receive messages from users they follow or have previously interacted with.
- Story Privacy: Only friends can see and respond to a teen’s stories.
- Restricted Engagement: Tags, mentions, and comments will be limited to friends only.
- Usage Reminders: Teens will get reminders to log off after an hour of use.
- Quiet Mode: Automatic activation of Quiet mode during nighttime hours.
Instagram-Specific Restrictions
As part of the Teen Accounts rollout on Instagram, additional restrictions will apply:
- Teens under 16 will need parental permission to go live.
- Parental consent is required to disable the feature that blurs images with suspected nudity in direct messages.
Addressing Mental Health Concerns
These updates reflect Meta’s ongoing efforts to tackle the mental health issues associated with social media usage among teens. The U.S. Surgeon General has raised significant concerns, prompting some states to impose regulations requiring parental consent for minors to use social media platforms.
Impact of Teen Accounts
Meta has reported that over 54 million teens have already transitioned to Teen Accounts on Instagram, with a significant percentage—97% of users aged 13-15—choosing to keep their built-in protections enabled. Additionally, a study conducted by Ipsos revealed that 94% of parents believe Teen Accounts are beneficial, and 85% find them helpful for fostering positive experiences for their teens on Instagram.
For more information on Meta’s initiatives and features, visit their official newsroom.
For further insights on social media safety for teens, check out resources from the U.S. Surgeon General.
