Teen Accounts for Enhanced Safety on Instagram in India

Teen Accounts on Instagram have been rolled out in India, aimed at increasing the online safety of younger users. This new feature, brought forth by Meta, ensures that teenagers under the age of 18 automatically receive the highest safety settings. Additionally, it equips parents with tools to oversee their child’s activities on the platform.

Addressing Online Safety Concerns

The launch of Teen Accounts seeks to alleviate worries surrounding online safety, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. All users under the age of 16 will find their accounts set to private by default, allowing only approved followers to view their content. Furthermore, strict messaging settings will limit interactions to those they follow, thereby minimising unwanted communications.

Minimising Exposure to Sensitive Content

Instagram will reduce the exposure of teens to sensitive topics, including violence and cosmetic interventions. There are also restrictions regarding who can tag or mention teenagers, ensuring that only people they have approved can do so. To promote healthier habits on social media, the platform will encourage breaks and mute notifications between the hours of 10 PM and 7 AM.

Enhanced Parental Controls

Teen Accounts introduce additional parental supervision, responding to worries regarding parents’ visibility into their children’s online activities. Parents can approve any attempts to relax safety measures for users under 16, and they will have access to information about who their teen has messaged in the last week. Moreover, it is possible to set daily screen time limits and restrict access during specific hours.

Strengthening Age Verification

To further protect against potential misuse, Instagram is fortifying its age verification measures to ensure that teenagers cannot circumvent protections by providing false age information. If a user’s behaviour indicates they may not be an adult, additional proof of age will be mandated. Moreover, content moderation policies are being enhanced to prevent the availability of inappropriate materials.

Meta’s Commitment to Safety

With the implementation of Teen Accounts, Meta strives to foster a safer online environment for teenagers while also assuring parents of their children’s welfare. Natasha Jog, the Director of Public Policy at Instagram India, has highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing security and content management.

Expert Opinions on the Initiative

This initiative has garnered positive feedback from online safety professionals. Mansi Zaveri, the founder of Kidsstoppress.com, remarked that these adjustments will promote responsible social media practices among children. Nonetheless, experts emphasise the importance of continuous enforcement and oversight to guarantee the initiative’s effectiveness.