In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the safety of teens and young people online, primarily because of political pressure, particularly when it comes to social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and other social media platforms that are poplar with youth.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatApp, has made efforts to address concerns about youth safety by introducing features designed to restrict and regulate the use of their platforms by those under the age of 16. These features represent a positive step in the ongoing effort to make digital spaces safer for young people who use their platform. However, as with any policy change, there are both pros and cons to consider, and the role of parents in managing their children’s digital lives remains critical.
Meta’s Teen Account Program: What’s Changed?
In an effort to protect minors, Meta’s teen account program was launched last year with the goal of increasing safety for users under the age of 16. Here are some of the key changes:
1. Private Accounts by Default
Teen accounts, those under the age of 16yrs, are now set to private by default, meaning only approved followers can see posts. This setting helps to limit the exposure of teens to potentially harmful or inappropriate content from people they don’t know. Meta is also making it teen accounts available on Facebook and Messenger and will offer similar, automatic protections to limit inappropriate content and unwanted contact, as well as ways to ensure teens’ time is well spent
2. Screen Time Reminders
Teens who use Instagram for more than 60 minutes will receive a notification prompting them to take a break. This is a direct response to concerns about excessive screen time and its negative impact on the mental and physical well-being of young people. Additionally, between 10 PM and 7 AM, Instagram enters a sleep mode, turning off notifications to help reduce nighttime screen usage, a common issue among teens.
3. Parental Permission for Changes
For users under the age of 16, some of these safety features cannot be disabled without parental consent. For example, to change privacy settings or alter time limits, a parent or guardian must provide permission. Of note, those teens between 16-18yrs can turn off these default settings without a parent or guardian’s permission.
4. Parental Supervision Features
Meta has introduced “parental supervision” tools that allow parents to monitor their teen’s activity, including seeing who their child is messaging (though not the content of those messages). This allows for an open dialogue between parents and teens about online safety and interactions. Additionally, Meta has implemented artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help detect instances where teens may be lying about their age in order to access features that are only available to those 16 or older. If AI detects discrepancies, the account may be reverted to the more restrictive teen settings.
5. New Features: Live Streaming and Direct Messages
This week, Meta announced that it is extending its safety measures to prevent teens under 16 from “live streaming” on Instagram without parental permission. (1) Teens will also be restricted from unblocking images containing suspected nudity in direct messages or Messenger. These updates reflect a broader trend of protecting youth from harmful content and interactions in real-time.
Despite these positive changes, some challenges still remain. The effectiveness of these features is limited by the fact that teens are often resourceful when it comes to finding ways around restrictions. Some of the most common methods teens use to bypass age restrictions include:
- Providing False Birthdates: Many teens lie about their age when creating accounts, entering a birthdate that makes them appear older than they actually are. Research shows that at least 22% of those under the age of 18 admit to lying about their age to gain access to platforms meant for older users. Reasonable and effective age gating process that strikes and balance between safety and privacy is the unicorn that at all major social media platforms are looking for, but still elusive.
- Borrowing or Sharing Accounts: Teens may use accounts created by older siblings, friends, or family members to bypass the age restrictions set by platforms like Instagram.
- Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): By using a VPN, teens can mask their location, potentially circumventing regional age restrictions and accessing content or features that are restricted in certain areas.
Even though Meta has taken steps to limit such behaviour, these methods remain a viable option for tech-savvy teens. Parents need to be aware of these potential workarounds and have proactive conversations with their children about the risks involved in attempting to bypass safety features.
While Meta’s teen account program is a step in the right direction, there are areas where the platform can, and should, do more.
For instance, Meta’s current policy only blurs suspected nudity in images sent through direct messaging or in the Messenger app. A more proactive approach could be implemented by not allowing such images to be uploaded or shared in the first place. Meta, and even Apple, already possesses the technology to detect inappropriate content, so why not prevent it from being sent altogether? This would significantly reduce the potential for harmful content to reach teens, providing a safer experience across all Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.
While parental supervision tools are valuable, they still place the responsibility of managing online safety largely on the shoulders of parents. It’s essential for parents to have open, honest conversations with their teens about the importance of online safety. However, this doesn’t absolve Meta of its corporate responsibility to create safer environments for its younger users. The company must do more to address issues like data collection and targeted advertising, both of which disproportionately affect young users and can lead to the exploitation of their personal information
Another concern that needs to be addressed is that even when an account is set to private, anyone can still view the owner’s full profile, including details like their followers and following lists, age, school, or links, to other social media platforms, if posted by the owner. This kind of information can be exploited and used as a tool in the grooming process to build trust, potentially leading to sextortion or cyberbullying.
Despite these change made by Meta, the reality remains that no technology can replace active, engaged parenting. It is crucial for parents to remain involved in their children’s digital lives. This includes not only setting boundaries and monitoring activity but also fostering an environment where teens feel comfortable discussing their online experiences.
Parental involvement is critical when it comes to managing technology. By setting clear expectations, maintaining open lines of communication, and using the tools available to monitor and guide their children’s digital habits, parents can help mitigate the risks of social media use. Encouraging kids to think critically about their online interactions, and ensuring that they understand the potential consequences of sharing personal information, will help them navigate the digital world with greater awareness and responsibility.
Meta’s recent changes to its teen account program are a welcome and positive move toward protecting young users online, yet still not enough. These efforts, combined with parental involvement, can help create a safer social media experience for teens. However, it is essential for both parents and companies like Meta to continue pushing for stronger protections and more proactive approaches to digital safety. The responsibility does not solely rest on the shoulders of parents or caregivers; social media platforms must also play an active role in ensuring the safety and well-being of their younger users.
In the end, while no system is perfect, the ongoing conversation about digital safety, along with the use of innovative tools like AI and parental supervision, shows promise in making online spaces safer for our children. Parents must stay informed, remain involved, and continue to advocate for the safety of their teens in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Feat, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References?
