Credit: Brett Jordan via Unsplash
Meta has announced it will expand its 13+ content restriction policy across Instagram, Facebook and Messenger accounts globally.
The expansion will see all under-18 accounts automatically transferred into Teen Accounts, subject to 13+ content barrier settings.
In Australia, the new Teen Accounts content settings will only apply to 16 and 17-year-olds, in light of existing social media age restrictions.
All under-18 users will only be able to opt out of the content barriers with parental permission.
Meta says the content barrier settings were inspired by 13+ movie rating criteria.
"Just like you might see some suggestive content or hear some strong language in a movie rated for ages 13+, teens may occasionally see something like that on Instagram," said Meta.
The updated restrictions are designed to hide and not recommend posts identified as containing strong language and risky stunts.
Teen Account restrictions will also bar content identified as falling into categories that could encourage potentially harmful behaviours, such as posts showing marijuana paraphernalia.
The tightened restrictions will sit alongside existing policies aimed at hiding and prohibiting the recommendation of sexually suggestive content, graphic or disturbing images, and adult content like tobacco or alcohol sales from teens.
Teens will no longer be able to follow accounts that Meta has identified as regularly sharing age-inappropriate content.
If newly opted-in teen accounts already follow these users, they will no longer be able to see or interact with the content.
Meta will now block under-18s' ability to search content under mature search terms, such as "alcohol" or "gore."
Meta says it is working on a solution to ensure these terms will continue to be blocked, even if misspelled.
The Teen Account settings will also extend to Meta AI, designed to bar the AI from providing age-inappropriate responses.
"We hope this update reassures parents that we're working to show teens safe, age-appropriate content on Instagram by default, while also giving them more ways to shape their teen's experience," said Meta.
Meta will also provide additional constraints for parents who prefer tighter restrictions.
"Because we know that all families are different, we're also introducing a new, stricter setting for parents who prefer a more restrictive experience for their teen," said Meta.
Alongside the automatic opt-in, Meta is testing limits on Instagram that prevent teens from seeing too many posts of certain types in one session.
"This includes posts about nutrition, weightlifting, or how to cope with anxiety - all of which can be helpful on their own, but should be balanced with other types of content," said Meta.
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