Meta Cranks Up Teen Safety on Facebook and Instagram
Meta has rolled out tougher default privacy settings and parental controls for teens on Facebook and Instagram. The move aims to shield youngsters from unwanted messages and boost parental oversight.
Stricter Privacy for Under-16s
From now on, users under 16 (or under 18 in some regions) will have tighter privacy by default. This means only people they already follow or know can message them or add them to group chats. No more random DMs from strangers flooding their inboxes.
This change applies across Instagram and Messenger, with Instagram users getting alerts on the update right at the top of their feed.
Parents Get the Power to Approve Changes
Parents can now actively approve or decline any changes their kids make to default privacy settings. Previously, they were just notified after the fact. Meta hopes this encourages more offline chats between parents and teens about online safety.
Meta Faces Pressure Over Teen Mental Health
These updates come amid growing scrutiny over the impact of social media on teen mental health. Conservative MP Miriam Cates recently warned of rising mental health issues among adolescents since 2010 and called for tougher regulations.
There are even fresh calls to ban social media and smartphone use for under-16s to protect vulnerable youngsters.
Meta Pushes for Safer Online Spaces
Meta says it’s committed to evolving its safety and privacy features to create a safer environment for young users. With these new default settings and parental controls, it hopes to give teens and parents more peace of mind as they navigate the digital world.
