Instagram expands 'teen accounts' to India: What does it mean?
What's the story
US tech giant Meta has announced the expansion of its 'teen accounts' feature for Instagram to India.
The initiative is part of a phased rollout aimed at users aged 13-17, focusing on enhancing online safety.
The feature was first introduced in September 2024 as part of Instagram's efforts to improve the privacy of younger users on its platform.
Global rollout
A global initiative
The 'teen accounts' feature was first launched in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. It was then expanded to the European Union.
With this latest expansion into India, Meta continues its global effort to make the internet safer for young users.
The new settings introduced with this facility will automatically make all new and existing accounts of people aged 13-17 private.
Privacy measures
Enhanced privacy settings for young users
The improved privacy settings of Instagram's teen accounts will restrict who can contact young users and what kind of content they can see in Reels and Explore tab.
Users aged 16 and 17 can opt out of these privacy settings, unless their account is supervised by a parent/guardian.
However, teens under 16 will need parental permission to change any of these settings.
Feature overview
A detailed look at the features
With teen accounts, users will have to 'Accept' new followers and can only receive messages from those they follow or are already connected with.
They can only be tagged/mentioned by people they follow. Those who do not follow them won't be able to see their content or interact with them.
The app will also filter out offensive words/phrases from teens' comments and DM requests via its anti-bullying feature, 'Hidden Words.'
Content control
Content restrictions and new features for teen accounts
Instagram will limit teens from seeing certain sensitive content in the search results, and recommended content in Explore, Reels, and Feed section.
This includes sexually suggestive content or content promoting cosmetic procedures.
A new facility will also let users choose topics they want to see more of in the Explore tab and their recommendations.
Parents will be able to see the topics their teens have chosen to see content from.
Parental supervision
Instagram introduces 'sleep mode'
Instagram is introducing a 'sleep mode' which mutes notifications overnight and sends auto-replies to any direct messages received between 10:00pm and 7:00am.
Notably, teens under 16 have to set up parental supervision to change any of these settings.
Parents can approve/deny their requests to change settings or let them manage their settings themselves.