What's happened
Instagram has launched new features for teen accounts aimed at enhancing safety for users under 18. These changes include default private settings, restricted messaging, and parental controls, amid growing concerns over online harm and regulatory pressure. The rollout begins this week in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, the new features are a response to ongoing concerns about the impact of social media on youth, with one teen stating, "I feel these changes are very positive in a lot of ways, especially because they’re restricting sensitive content, but I don’t think it’s a solution." The New York Times highlights that Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, emphasized the importance of addressing parents' concerns, stating, "We decided to focus on what parents think because they know better what’s appropriate for their children than any tech company." Meanwhile, Axios notes that over 100 million accounts will be affected by these changes, indicating the scale of Instagram's response to regulatory scrutiny. Critics, however, like Fairplay for Kids, argue that these measures should have been implemented years ago, calling them an attempt to avoid more stringent legislation.
How we got here
The introduction of these features follows increasing scrutiny from parents, lawmakers, and advocacy groups regarding the impact of social media on youth mental health. The Kids Online Safety Act, which aims to impose stricter regulations on social media platforms, has also gained momentum in Congress.
Common question
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What Are the New Instagram Features for Teen Accounts?
Instagram has recently introduced significant changes to enhance the safety of teen users on its platform. With growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people, these new features aim to provide a safer online environment. But what exactly are these changes, and how do they affect teens and their parents? Here are some common questions and answers regarding Instagram's new teen account settings.
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What Are Instagram's New Teen Account Changes and How Do They Affect Safety?
Instagram is rolling out new account settings specifically for users under 18, aiming to enhance safety and provide parents with more control. As concerns about teen safety online grow, many are left wondering how these changes will impact their children's experience on the platform. Here are some common questions and answers about these new features.
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What New Features Has Instagram Introduced for Teen Accounts?
Instagram has rolled out new features aimed at enhancing safety and privacy for users under 18. These changes come in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health. But what exactly are these features, and how do they affect teen users? Here are some common questions and answers about Instagram's latest updates.
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What Are Instagram's New Features for Teen Safety?
Instagram has recently introduced new features aimed at enhancing the safety and privacy of teen users. With growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health, these changes have sparked discussions among parents, lawmakers, and advocacy groups. Here’s what you need to know about these updates and their implications.
More on these topics
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Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger and originally launched on iOS in October 2010.
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Facebook, Inc. is an American social media conglomerate corporation based in Menlo Park, California. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his fellow roommates and students at Harvard College, who were Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Mosk
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
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Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is an American media magnate, internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is known for co-founding Facebook, Inc. and serves as its chairman, chief executive officer, and controlling shareholder.
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Adam Mosseri (born January 23, 1983) is an American businessman and the head of Instagram. He formerly served as an executive at Facebook.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.