Meta Launches Restricted Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger with Enhanced Safety Features

Meta has launched restricted Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger, extending a feature previously introduced on Instagram. This initiative aims to provide enhanced protections for young users by automatically enrolling them into an app experience with built-in safety measures. Initially available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, the feature will expand to other regions in the future. The new Teen Accounts will limit inappropriate content and unwanted contact, requiring parental permission for teens under 16 to alter settings. Restrictions include limiting messages to only those from followed or previously messaged individuals, and restricting story replies, tags, mentions, and comments to friends or followers. Teens will also receive hourly usage reminders and be enrolled in ‘Quiet mode’ overnight. Instagram is also receiving updates, such as requiring parental permission for teens under 16 to go live or disable the blurring of potentially explicit images in DMs. Meta reports that 54 million teens have been moved to Teen Accounts on Instagram, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 keeping the built-in protections active. A study commissioned by Ipsos found that 94% of parents surveyed found Teen Accounts helpful, and 85% believed they facilitated positive experiences for their teens on Instagram. These changes reflect Meta’s efforts to address concerns about teen mental health and social media use, following scrutiny from lawmakers and increasing state-level restrictions.