Instagram To Create New Teens Account in UK, Canada, US and Australia

Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Teen Accounts” aimed at enhancing safety and privacy for users aged 13-17. Here’s what you need to know:

Automatic Enrollment: All new users under 18 will automatically be placed into Teen Accounts. Existing teen users will transition to these accounts within 60 days in regions like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with plans to expand globally.
Built-in Protections:
Privacy Settings: Teen Accounts default to private, meaning only approved followers can see their posts.
Content Restrictions: There are stricter controls on the type of content teens can view, significantly reducing the likelihood of encountering sensitive content.
Direct Messages (DMs): Teens can only receive DMs from people they follow or are connected to, limiting unwanted contact.
Sleep Mode: Notifications are muted automatically from 10 PM to 7 AM to encourage healthy sleep habits.
Parental Controls: For teens under 16 (or 18 in some countries), changes to settings that could reduce these protections require parental approval. This includes switching from a private to a public account or altering sensitive content controls.
Content Customization: Teens can select topics they’re interested in for their Explore page and recommendations, focusing on positive content they enjoy.
Safety Features: Features like reminders to close the app after an hour of use and notifications encouraging teens to be cautious in conversations with adults are implemented.

This initiative by Instagram, part of Meta, reflects a broader push towards making social media safer for younger users, addressing concerns about online interactions, content exposure, and time management. These changes are designed to provide both teens and their parents with peace of mind regarding online safety while still allowing for social engagement and exploration of interests in a more controlled environment.