Instagram has tightened content filtering for teen accounts to align with PG-13 movie rating standards, the platform announced on Tuesday. The move comes as Meta and other social media platforms face increasing pressure to prioritize the well-being of younger users over profit and engagement. Instagram described the update as the most significant change to Teen Accounts since their launch in September last year. Under the new system, teens on Instagram will be exposed only to content comparable to what is allowed in PG-13-rated films—a rating introduced by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in 1984. The PG-13 rating warns parents when a movie contains material that may be unsuitable for children under 13, including mild nudity, violence, or drug use. Meta’s Capucine Tuffier, head of public affairs for child protection, explained that applying movie rating standards to Instagram is part of an effort to implement the “most protective settings” for teenagers. Examples of content that could now trigger PG-13 restrictions include drastic dieting trends or the glorification of alcohol and tobacco use. Instagram will continue using age-detection technology to identify teens attempting to bypass restrictions by claiming to be older. The platform already blocks shocking or sexually explicit content from teen accounts, and the update will further limit posts promoting risky behavior or harmful challenges, removing them from recommendations and feeds. The update is rolling out in Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States, with plans to expand to more countries in the coming months. Film ratings under the scheme are determined by an independent Classification and Rating Administration board made up of parents. People seeking more control over what their children see on Instagram will be able to choose a “restricted content” option that prevents young users from seeing, writing, or receiving comments under posts. Starting next year, the restricted content option will be made available to throttle conversations teens can have with artificial intelligence tools, according to Meta. California this week enacted a landmark law that requires chatbot operators to implement “critical” safeguards regarding interactions with AI chatbots. The law comes after revelations of suicides involving teens who used chatbots prior to taking their lives.
Instagram Introduces PG-13 Accounts for Teen Users
