Instagram is moving forward with new strategies aimed at encouraging more teenagers to create protected accounts. They’re collaborating with parents and using artificial intelligence (AI) to better ascertain users’ ages, as mentioned in a recent announcement.
The teen account feature was introduced last year to enhance safety for younger users. It limits who can reach out, curates visible content, and includes controls over screen time. For teens under 16, parental consent is needed to modify these settings. So far, Instagram reports that over 54 million teens worldwide have set up these accounts, with a striking 97% of users aged 13 to 15 opting to stay under parental supervision. Additionally, this experience has been extended to Facebook and Messenger.
According to Instagram, the feedback from both teens and parents has been overwhelmingly supportive. More than 90% of parents surveyed believe that protecting teen accounts is beneficial for their children’s online experiences. That said, Instagram remains attentive to the ongoing challenges of navigating the digital world.
As part of an updated initiative, Instagram provides online resources for parents, emphasizing the significance of accurate age reporting. They’ve teamed up with experts, such as pediatric psychologist Dr. Anne Louise Lockhart, to offer helpful communication tips and prompt parents to verify their teens’ ages on the platform.
Instagram is also beginning to test new AI technology in the U.S. to identify users who are likely teenagers, even if they claim to be older. Accounts identified this way will automatically switch to teen account settings. Users misclassified will have the ability to adjust their settings while efforts are made to refine the technology.
However, Instagram acknowledges that accurately determining user ages is a challenge that the tech industry struggles with overall. They highlighted that obtaining parental approval and utilizing app store age verification are among the most effective methods for age verification.
