Representational image (Photo source: Freepik)
Instagram has announced a major update aimed at improving safety for teenage users on its platform. The Meta-owned social media app will now automatically restrict all teen accounts to content that aligns with a PG-13 rating. This means that teenagers will have limited exposure to posts that include strong language, risky stunts, or other age-inappropriate material.
The change, which is enabled by default, is part of Instagram’s effort to create a safer online environment for young users. Under this new setting, teens will be shielded from photos and videos that could encourage harmful behaviour, including images related to drugs or dangerous challenges.
Meta explained that while it had previously committed to hiding sensitive content from teens, those measures were not always effective. Reports had shown that teens could still access inappropriate sexual or self-harm-related content through recommendations. The new PG-13 restriction aims to fix those gaps.
Instagram will now prevent teenagers from following or interacting with accounts that share adult or inappropriate material. If a teen already follows such accounts, they will no longer be able to see their posts, send messages, or view comments from those profiles. Likewise, those restricted accounts will be blocked from following or messaging teens, offering extra protection from unwanted contact.
Instagram is also tightening its search and AI filters. Keywords related to sensitive topics such as suicide, eating disorders, alcohol, or gore will now be blocked. Additionally, PG-13 rules will extend to AI chats and features, ensuring that automated responses remain age-appropriate.
Parents will play a key role under the new system. Teens will not be able to manually switch off the PG-13 restriction without parental approval. For stricter monitoring, Meta is introducing an optional “limited content” mode, which blocks even more content and disables comments entirely.
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Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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