Teen Accounts (credit: about.fb.com)
Meta, which owns both Facebook and Instagram, announced they are adding a new feature to better protect people under 18.
“I think there are many benefits but unfortunately there are also downfalls that come with social media,” says aspiring teacher, Teresa Pinder. “There are many profiles that highlight healthy lifestyles and positive self-images, but there is also so much judgment with comments and putting yourself out there at the risk of photos being reproduced.”
Meta has introduced ‘Teen Accounts’ which they brand as giving parents peace of mind and adding built-in protection.
Yvonne Johnson (credit: pta.org)
“With teens automatically placed in Teen Accounts and certain privacy settings turned on by default, this update demonstrates that Meta is taking steps to empower parents and deliver safer, more age-appropriate experiences on the platform,” says National PTA President, Yvonne Johnson, in the Meta media release.
Teen Account protection includes:
- Teen Accounts will only be able to receive direct messages from people they follow or have already connected with.
- They will be placed in the most restrictive setting of sensitive content control which will limit videos including fighting and promoting cosmetic procedures.
- Teen Accounts will only be able to be tagged in posts by people they follow.
- Meta will automatically restrict hidden words, hiding offensive language from users’ direct messages and comments.
- A sleep mode will be activated from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., which will mute notifications during this time frame.
- Teen Accounts will receive a notification after 60 minutes on the app advising them to leave the app.
- Teen Accounts will be defaulted to private profiles, where followers need to be accepted and their posts will only be seen by their followers.
People under the age of 16 will need parental approval to change any of these default settings.
“I think it will be hard to regulate,” Pinder says. “There is already an age limit but young people and kids get around it.”
Lucy Thomas OAM (credit: projectrockit.com.au)
On top of the listed restrictions, Meta is requiring further age verifications. They are also working to locate teen accounts listed with adult birthdays.
“In an ever-evolving online world, this update ensures that young people can engage meaningfully and safely, fostering positive connections while still providing the protection they need,” says CEO and cofounder of Project Rockit, Lucy Thomas OAM, in the Meta media release.
These new updates will be effective immediately for new accounts, and Meta will be working to add these restrictions to teen accounts in Canada over the next 60 days.
