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Instagram Has Created New “Teen Accounts” To Protect Teenagers
But is it too little, too late?
Instagram has announced that specialised accounts made for teenagers will be rolled out in January 2025.
These new accounts are designed to try and protect teenagers, while still giving them access to Instagram.
Here is a list of features that the new teen Instagram accounts will have:
- Teen Accounts automatically have sleep mode turned on from 10PM to 7AM every day. During sleep mode, Instagram notifications are muted, auto-replies to messages are turned on, and the teen will see a reminder to close Instagram.
- A reminder will be given to close Instagram after a total of 60 minutes is spent on the app each day.
- Parents will know who their son/daughter has been speaking to for the last 7 days but will not be able to view the content of the messages
- Teen Accounts are automatically set to see less sensitive content from accounts they don’t follow.
- The accounts will automatically be set to private by default. Teens under 16 can only change this default setting with help from a parent or guardian.
- Teens will not be able to be messaged by anyone they’re not already connected to.
- Tags, mentions and content remixing will only be permitted by accounts they follow.
- Teen Accounts are automatically set to hide potentially offensive comments and message requests with the strictest Hidden Words setting.
- ID and a selfie will be required to verify the user’s real age.
You might be reading this and thinking “Wow, well done Instagram! This sounds great!”
But let’s think about this. Why is Instagram creating these teen accounts? Is Instagram implementing these teen accounts because they care deeply about the well-being of teenagers around the world? Are they doing it because they’re an ethical, loving corportation?
Of course not. Don’t be naive, dear reader.
The reason these teen accounts have emerged is because public opinion has turned drastically against social media. With the increase in teen suicides…