nstagram-Introduces

New Teen Safety Features Launched in India to Protect Young Users from Online Risks

 

Instagram has launched a suite of innovative safety features for Teen Accounts in India, designed to protect young users from online threats, harmful content, and privacy breaches. These features aim to create a safer and more age-appropriate online environment for teenagers, tackling pressing concerns such as cyberbullying, exposure to sensitive content, and unwanted interactions.

 

Key Features of Safety Available in Teen Accounts

 

Private Accounts by Default: For all users under 18 in India, Instagram accounts will be set to private by default. This means that only approved followers can view their posts, stories, and reels, minimizing the risk of unwanted interactions with strangers.

Limiting Unwanted Adult Interaction: Instagram will restrict adult accounts flagged for suspicious behavior from interacting with teen accounts. These adults will only be able to send messages, comment, or interact with teenagers if the teen follows them back first.

Restrictive Content Recommendations: Instagram is being more stringent with content recommendations for teenagers. The Explore page, Reels, and Suggested Posts will filter out sensitive or detrimental content, limiting exposure to misleading, violent, or adult material. Teenagers will automatically be placed in the most restrictive settings.

Anti-Bullying Measures: To prevent bullying, only people teenagers follow can tag or mention them. Instagram's toughest anti-bullying filter, Hidden Words, will be enabled by default to block offensive language.

Screen Time Management: Instagram has introduced screen time reminders and activity management tools to encourage teenagers to take breaks from excessive scrolling. Teens will receive nudges to log off after 60 minutes of daily use, and "sleep mode" will mute notifications from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Parental Supervision: Parents and guardians can monitor and guide their child's online activity through supervised accounts. These tools enable parents to set daily screen time limits, view their teen's followers and following list, and receive alerts on reported accounts and interactions.

Age Verification: Instagram is implementing stricter age verification measures to ensure that age limits are respected. Users may be asked to verify their age through additional steps if they attempt to sign up with an adult birthdate.

 

 Statements from Meta and Experts

 

Natasha Jog, the Director of Public Policy for India at Instagram, stated, “At Meta, our top priority is to create a safer and more responsible digital environment. With the expansion of Instagram Teen Accounts to India, we are strengthening protections, enhancing content controls, and empowering parents to ensure a safer experience for teens.”
 
Mansi Zaveri, the Founding CEO of Kidsstoppress.com, commented, “These steps are heading in the right direction. They will help create a safer space for young users by strengthening privacy settings, limiting unwanted interactions, and adding parental supervision tools.”
 
Instagram's Teen Accounts were first introduced in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia last year. Meta migrated the accounts of Instagram users under the age of 16 to these new account types with default restrictions. With over 350 million users, India is one of Instagram's largest markets. Instagram has indicated that it will continue to refine and improve safety features for young people while collaborating with cybersecurity experts, child protection agencies, and the government to ensure a safer and more inclusive digital environment for youth in India.