(USMB NextGen is NOT affiliated with Meta or Instagram in any way. This is just a helpful article for anyone who works with teenagers).
This post is not about the access social media should have with teens; that is a decision for each family and church, but this is more about what it is, the pros and cons of this new feature, and how to keep everyone up to speed.
The digital age has brought with it an array of challenges and opportunities, especially when it comes to social media usage among teenagers. As concerns about the impact of social media on young minds continue to grow, Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, etc.) has introduced a new initiative aimed at creating a safer online environment for teens: Instagram Teen Accounts. This feature seeks to balance freedom and safety by providing a more controlled and secure social media experience for users under the age of 16. For parents and youth workers, understanding this initiative is crucial for guiding teens in their digital journeys.
CLICK HERE to see Meta’s official information page on Instagram’s Teen Accounts.
Understanding Instagram’s Teen Accounts
Instagram’s Teen Accounts are designed to automatically migrate users under 16 to a more secure version of the platform. (Launched September 18, 2024) This move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to address criticisms about social media’s potential negative effects on young people’s mental health and overall well-being. Teen Accounts come with built-in protections that give parents more control over their child’s Instagram activity, aiming to foster a safer online experience.
Features & How Will It Work (From Instagram):
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Private accounts: With default private accounts, teens need to accept new followers and people who don’t follow them can’t see their content or interact with them. This applies to all teens under 16 (including those already on Instagram and those signing up) and teens under 18 when they sign up for the app.
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Messaging restrictions: Teens will be placed in the strictest messaging settings, so they can only be messaged by people they follow or are already connected to.
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Sensitive content restrictions: Teens will automatically be placed into the most restrictive setting of our sensitive content control, which limits the type of sensitive content (such as content that shows people fighting or promotes cosmetic procedures) teens see in places like Explore and Reels.
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Limited interactions: Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow. We’ll also automatically turn on the most restrictive version of our anti-bullying feature, Hidden Words, so that offensive words and phrases will be filtered out of teens’ comments and DM requests.
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Time limit reminders: Teens will get notifications telling them to leave the app after 60 minutes each day.
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Sleep mode enabled: Sleep mode will be turned on between 10 PM and 7 AM, which will mute notifications overnight and send auto-replies to DMs.
Pros of Instagram Teen Accounts (From USMB NextGen):
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Enhanced Parental Control: Parents can have more peace of mind knowing they can oversee their child’s interactions on Instagram. Teen Accounts allow parents to monitor who their teens are messaging and can block access during specific times.
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Improved Privacy Settings: All teen user profiles are set to private by default. This means only those whom the teens approve can view their profiles, adding a layer of protection against unwanted attention.
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Content Filtering: Teens have the option to select topics they wish to see more of through a new “Explore” feature. This allows them to cultivate a feed that is more aligned with their interests while avoiding potentially harmful content.
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Notification Management: A feature to silence notifications at night helps ensure that teens are not constantly plugged into the digital world, promoting better sleep and less screen time.
Cons and Challenges (From USMB NextGen):
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Over-Reliance on Technology for Safety: While these features are beneficial, there is a risk that parents may overly depend on them, rather than actively engaging in conversations about online safety. (Remember, parents need to treat social media in general like they do with their teenagers getting their driver’s licenses. It needs to be hours of walking alongside them before you release them).
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Enforcing Age Verification: Although Meta is employing tools like ID verification and facial analysis to ensure age compliance, the effectiveness of these measures can vary, and some teens might find ways around them. Parents should still watch and have access to their teenager’s social media accounts.
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Potential Resistance: Teens may feel restricted by these controls and push back against what they perceive as an invasion of their privacy, which could lead to tension between them and their parents.
What Parents Need to Know (From USMB NextGen):
To maximize the benefits of Instagram’s Teen Accounts, parents should be proactive in discussing online safety with their teens. Here are some essential points to consider:
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Monitor and Discuss: Regularly review social media activities with your teens. Discuss who they are interacting with and the type of content they are accessing.
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Set Boundaries: Use the time restriction features wisely to ensure that screen time does not interfere with other activities and responsibilities.
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Encourage Openness: Foster an environment where teens feel comfortable sharing their online experiences and challenges. This can help parents offer guidance and support effectively.
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Educate on Digital Literacy: Ensure that teens understand not only how to use social media safely but also the importance of maintaining a balance between online and offline interactions.
By leveraging the tools provided by Instagram Teen Accounts and maintaining open lines of communication, parents and youth workers can play a pivotal role in their teens’ social media journey, ensuring it is both safe and enriching. We are sure this will be an evolving app as more teen users start using the app, more to follow.
