Meta Launches Privacy Update for Teens Using Instagram and Facebook

Meta launched new privacy settings for teenage Instagram and Facebook users (photo: Meta)

JAKARTA - Meta has again expanded its features which are intended to protect children and adolescents when using social media Facebook or Instagram.

In the past year, we have taken several measures to protect youth from interacting with potentially suspicious adults.

For example, every new user under the age of 18, their account will become a private account automatically. That would restrict adults from messaging teens they're not connected to.

Now, Meta is also testing ways to protect teens from suspicious adult messages they're not connected to.

We’re introducing updates on @facebook and @instagram to further protect teens from harm online. And starting today, everyone under the age of 16 — or under 18 in certain countries — will be defaulted into more private settings when they join Facebook.https://t.co/9FB4yCCrJ5

— Meta Newsroom (@MetaNewsroom) November 21, 2022

For example, if there is a suspicious account belonging to an adult that was recently blocked or reported by an underage user. On Facebook, Meta won't show the account in People You May Know recommendations for teens.

Additionally, Meta also tested removing the message button on teens' Instagram accounts when viewed by suspicious adults.

New Privacy Defaults for Teens on Facebook

Starting today, anyone under the age of 16 (or under 18 in certain countries) will be set to a more private setting when they join Facebook.

Meta will ask teens who already have the app to do settings like:

• Who can see their friends list
• Who can see the people, Pages and lists they follow
• Who can see posts they're tagged in on their profile
• Review posts they're tagged in before they appear on their profile
• Who is allowed to comment on their public posts

Not only that, Meta is also working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to build a global platform for teenagers who are worried that the intimate images they create may be shared on public online platforms without their consent.

"We have worked closely with NCMEC, experts, academics, parents and victim advocates globally to help develop the platform and ensure it responds to the needs of youth so they can regain control of their content," wrote Meta in an announcement on its official website.