Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has taken new steps to strengthen protections and restrict unwanted contact with teens. The latest updates focus on limiting communication and interactions for teens under the age of 16 (or 18 in certain countries) on both platforms.
Meta has implemented stricter default settings on Instagram, preventing teens from receiving direct messages (DMs) from people who do not follow them or are not connected to them on the platform. Under this new default setting, teens can only be messaged or added to group chats by people who already follow them or have connections with them, providing an additional layer of security for teens and their parents.
This default setting is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to create a safer online environment for younger users. It complements existing restrictions that prevent adults over the age of 19 from messaging teens they do not follow. Additionally, the type and number of direct messages that people can send to someone they don’t follow is limited to one text message only.
The changes also extend to Messenger, where users under the age of 16 (or 18 in some countries) will now only receive messages from Facebook friends or individuals connected to them through phone contacts. These measures aim to reduce the risk of unwanted contact and prioritize the safety of young users.
Parental consent will now be required for teens (under 16) on Instagram-supervised accounts to change their default security and privacy settings. Parents will receive notifications and can either approve or reject requests to change settings, such as making the account public, adjusting sensitivity controls, or changing direct message settings to receive messages from individuals who have not yet been followed or connected to them.
