FILE - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
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Meta revealed on Tuesday that Instagram will limit teenagers to viewing only PG-13 content by default, and altering these settings will require parental consent.

This adjustment ensures that teenagers accessing Instagram through accounts tailored for their age group will encounter content akin to a PG-13 rated film—excluding depictions of sex, drugs, and risky stunts.

In a blog post, Meta elaborated, “This involves concealing or not recommending posts with explicit language, certain hazardous stunts, and other content that might promote harmful behaviors, such as images showing marijuana-related items.” The company described this update as the most pivotal since the launch of teen accounts last year.

Users under 18 who create an Instagram account will automatically be assigned to these restrictive teen accounts unless parents or guardians provide permission to choose otherwise. These teen accounts are private by default, come with usage limitations, and filter out additional “sensitive” content, including posts that endorse cosmetic enhancements.

Furthermore, Meta is introducing an even more stringent setting that allows parents to impose tighter controls over their child’s account.

The changes come as the social media giant faces relentless criticism over harms to children. As it seeks to add safeguards for younger users, Meta has already promised it wouldn’t show inappropriate content to teens, such as posts about self-harm, eating disorders or suicide.

But this does not always work. A recent report, for instance, found that teen accounts researchers created were recommended age-inappropriate sexual content, including “graphic sexual descriptions, the use of cartoons to describe demeaning sexual acts, and brief displays of nudity.”

In addition, Instagram also recommended a “range of self-harm, self-injury, and body image content” on teen accounts that the report says “would be reasonably likely to result in adverse impacts for young people, including teenagers experiencing poor mental health, or self-harm and suicidal ideation and behaviors.”

Meta says the new restrictions go further than its previous safeguards. Teens will no longer be able to follow accounts that regularly share “age-inappropriate content” or if their name or bio contains something that isn’t appropriate for teens, such as a link to an OnlyFans account. If teens already follow these accounts, they’ll no longer be able to see or interact with their content, send them messages, or see their comments under anyone’s posts, the company said. The accounts also won’t be able to follow teens, send them private messages or comment on their posts.

Meta said it already blocks certain search terms related to sensitive topics such as suicide and eating disorders, but the latest update will expand this to a broader range of terms, such as “alcohol” or “gore” — even if they are misspelled.

The PG-13 update will also apply artificial intelligence chats and experiences targeted to teens, Meta said, “meaning AIs should not give age-inappropriate responses that would feel out of place in a PG-13 movie.”

For parents who want an even stricter setting for their kids, Meta is also launching a “limited content” restriction that will block more content and remove teens’ ability to see, leave, or receive comments under posts.

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