Facebook introduced new safety protections for teens using its platforms. The company announced these changes today. The updates focus on Instagram and Facebook apps. Teens will get more safeguards against unwanted contact.
(Facebook Announces New Safety Features for Teens)
Parental supervision tools are expanding. Parents can now see more teen activity details. Parents can set time limits for app use. Parents can track who follows their teen’s accounts. This helps families discuss online safety together.
New privacy defaults start automatically for teens. Teens under 16 joining Instagram will have their accounts set to private. Only approved followers can see their content. Existing teen users will see prompts encouraging them to choose stricter privacy settings.
Facebook is limiting how adults can interact with teens. Adults flagged as suspicious cannot message teens who don’t follow them. Teens won’t appear in “People You May Know” suggestions for adults. The platform restricts adults from seeing teens in certain Explore or Reels sections.
Harmful content targeting teens faces stricter rules. The company will remove posts promoting suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders. Such content will be harder to find in teen feeds. Facebook uses technology and reports to find this content faster.
(Facebook Announces New Safety Features for Teens)
The company stated these changes follow safety expert advice. Protecting young users online is a top priority. Parents and teens can find these new tools within the app settings. More updates are planned throughout the year.