Instagram is introducing a stricter content environment for its teenage users by default, launching a new system based on the PG-13 cinema rating. The social media platform said this change is intended to align its policies with standards that parents are already familiar with.
The platform will now automatically place all users aged 13 to 17 into a “13+” setting, which significantly limits the type of content they can see. This default protection can only be removed with the explicit consent of a parent, putting a new level of control directly into the hands of guardians.
What constitutes restricted content is being expanded. Under the new PG-13 rules, posts with strong language, risky stunts, and content that promotes harmful behaviors will be hidden or not recommended to teen accounts. Instagram will also block searches for sensitive keywords, adding another layer of protection.
This policy update follows intense criticism over the platform’s impact on young people. A recent independent study, which included a former Meta engineer, concluded that Instagram’s safety features were not working effectively. This PG-13 system is Meta’s latest and most significant effort to address these concerns head-on.
Initially launching in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, the feature is expected to be available globally early next year. While the move is being framed as a major safety improvement, campaigners remain wary, demanding that Meta provide transparent data and allow for independent verification to prove the system’s worth.
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