Meta is now requiring parental consent for Instagram users under 16 to livestream or unblur suspected nudity in direct messages, but critics question if these measures are sufficient after years of alleged negligence.
At a Glance
- Instagram users under 16 now need parental approval to livestream or unblur nudity in direct messages
- Meta is extending these safeguards to Facebook and Messenger
- The program includes restrictions on messaging strangers and limits on sensitive content
- Changes will first roll out in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia before going global
- Over 54 million teen accounts have been set up since the program’s launch in September
Meta’s New Teen Safeguards: A Step Forward or Mere Optics?
In a recent move, Meta announced that Instagram users under 16 will now require parental permission to use Instagram Live or to unblur images suspected of containing nudity in direct messages. This policy aims to enhance protections for young users on the platform. Additionally, Meta is extending similar safeguards to Facebook and Messenger, including default private accounts for teens, restrictions on messaging strangers, and limits on sensitive content exposure. These changes will first roll out in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia before expanding globally, according to Meta’s official announcement.
Watch AP News’ video report on the new parental controls.
Effectiveness of the New Measures
While these initiatives appear to be a step in the right direction, questions arise about their effectiveness. Teens with basic tech knowledge might circumvent these controls by creating fake accounts or misrepresenting their age. Moreover, concerns persist regarding the psychological impact of prolonged social media use on adolescents, including issues like anxiety, depression, and body image problems.
Critics argue that these measures, though beneficial, may be reactive rather than proactive—implemented only in response to mounting scrutiny from lawmakers and parents’ groups. As noted by The Guardian, Meta’s history of downplaying internal research that showed the harmful effects of Instagram on teenage girls continues to cast doubt on the company’s motivations.
Global Rollout and Regulatory Pressure
Meta reports that over 54 million teen accounts have been established since the program’s inception last September. The timing of these updates coincides with growing regulatory pressure and bipartisan concern over teen safety online. U.S. lawmakers have introduced multiple bills in recent months to curb online harms targeting minors, including proposals for stricter parental controls and age verification systems.
As Fortune reports, this latest move by Meta is widely seen as a preemptive attempt to fend off federal regulation. While the company’s efforts to introduce these safeguards are commendable, it remains to be seen whether they will effectively address the complex challenges associated with adolescent social media use—or if they’re simply too little, too late.
