In a significant move to enhance online safety for young users, Meta has announced sweeping changes to Instagram's privacy protocols that will automatically protect teenagers from potential harm.
The social media giant revealed that all new accounts created by users under 18 will now default to private settings, dramatically limiting who can view their content and interact with them. This fundamental shift in approach marks one of the most substantial child protection measures implemented by a major tech platform.
Proactive Protection Measures
Beyond the default privacy settings, Instagram is deploying sophisticated technology to identify and restrict potentially suspicious accounts from contacting teenagers. The platform's algorithms will now actively prevent adults who have been flagged for suspicious behaviour from finding or interacting with minors through comments, tags, and direct messages.
"We're using technology to proactively protect teens from unwanted contact," a Meta spokesperson stated. "Our systems can identify accounts that may have been blocked or reported by young users and will automatically restrict their ability to interact with teenagers."
Existing Users Included
The safety measures extend beyond new accounts. Teenagers who already have public profiles on Instagram will now receive notifications encouraging them to switch to private accounts. The platform will highlight the benefits of private settings, including greater control over who can see and engage with their content.
This initiative represents Meta's continued response to growing pressure from child protection advocates, policymakers, and parents concerned about young people's safety on social media platforms.
Industry-Wide Implications
The changes come amid increasing scrutiny of how social media platforms protect vulnerable users, particularly children and teenagers. Instagram's new safety protocols could set a precedent for other platforms facing similar concerns about young user protection.
Digital safety experts have welcomed the move, noting that default private settings for minors could significantly reduce risks of online grooming, cyberbullying, and unwanted contact from strangers.
Meta has confirmed these changes are already being rolled out globally, affecting millions of young Instagram users across the UK and worldwide.
