Key Takeaways:
- Meta is rolling out Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger.
- Teens under 16 will need parental approval for some features.
- 97% of young users kept Instagram’s default safety settings.
- Parents say Teen Accounts make social media safer for teens.
- Meta aims to protect young users across all its platforms.
If you’re a teen who loves using social media, Meta has some big updates that might affect your online experience. The company, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, just announced new safety features for teens. These changes are all about helping young users stay safe online.
What’s Changing?
Last year, Instagram introduced Teen Accounts with special safety features. Now, Meta is expanding these protections to Facebook and Messenger. The goal is to make sure teens have a safer and more positive experience on these platforms.
New Rules for Teens Under 16
Starting soon, teens under 16 will need parental permission to use certain features like going live or turning off the nudity-blur tool in direct messages. This means parents will have more control over what their teens can do online.
These changes are rolling out first in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada. Meta plans to expand to more countries soon.
Parents Love the Safety Features
Since Instagram introduced Teen Accounts, 97% of users aged 13-15 kept the default safety settings. This shows that teens and parents are really embracing these protections.
A survey by Meta found that 94% of parents in the U.S. think Teen Accounts are helpful. Many also say these accounts make it easier to guide their teens toward positive online experiences. Parents feel more in control of their child’s social media use, which is a win-win for everyone.
More Teens Are Staying Safe on Instagram
As of April 2025, over 54 million teens worldwide are using Instagram’s Teen Accounts. This number shows how popular and important these safety tools are for young users.
Meta’s efforts seem to be working. Teens are sticking with the default safety settings, which means they’re better protected from harmful content and unwanted interactions.
Teens Are Still Heavy Social Media Users
Even though some platforms are becoming less popular among teens, social media remains a huge part of teen life. According to a Pew Research survey from 2024, 46% of U.S. teens are online “almost constantly.”
YouTube is the most popular platform, used by 90% of teens, followed by TikTok (63%), Instagram (61%), and Snapchat (55%). Facebook, however, has seen a big drop. Only 32% of teens used it in 2024, compared to 71% a decade ago.
Why These Changes Matter
Meta’s new safety features are a response to growing concerns about how social media affects young people. The company wants to create a safer online environment for teens.
The changes also come as governments introduce new rules to protect young users. For example, the U.K.’s Online Safety Act requires tech companies to shield users under 18 from harmful content. Meta’s updates align with these new regulations.
What Parents and Safety Advocates Think
Most parents and safety groups are happy about Meta’s new features. However, some say more needs to be done to keep teens safe.
A U.K. child protection charity called the NSPCC shared that these changes are a good step, but Meta should also focus on stopping dangerous content from appearing in the first place. In other words, safety shouldn’t just be about restricting access—it should also be about preventing harmful material from showing up on these platforms.
What’s Next?
Meta is committed to keeping young users safe. The company is working on more tools and features to make its platforms safer for everyone.
The new Instagram protections will roll out in the next few months. For now, teens and parents can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with these safety updates.
If you’re a teen or a parent, these changes are worth paying attention to. Meta’s focus on safety shows how important it is for social media companies to protect their youngest users.
Stay safe online, and remember to always be kind and smart when using social media!
