Instagram Introduces Teen Accounts to Enhance Privacy and Safety, Impacting 100 Million Accounts

Sep 17, 2024, 12:09 PM

Instagram has announced the introduction of Teen Accounts, aimed at enhancing privacy and safety for users aged 13-17. The new accounts will automatically apply to new teenage users, while existing teenage users will be transitioned within the next 60 days. These accounts will include features such as increased privacy settings, parental controls, and limitations on who can contact the users. The initiative comes as part of Instagram's efforts to address growing concerns about children's online safety and to regain trust from parents. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, acknowledged that while the changes might hurt the business, they are crucial for protecting young users. The move is seen as a response to mounting scrutiny and regulatory pressures on social media platforms regarding the safety of minors online. Accounts for users under 16 will have mandatory parental controls, and the changes are expected to impact over 100 million accounts worldwide.