Users under 18 will not be able to change this setting without explicit consent from their parents or guardians.
Instagram is also introducing a stricter content filter called “Limited Content,” which will prevent teenagers from seeing posts where this filter has been activated and from commenting on them.
The company announced that, starting next year, it will apply further restrictions on the types of conversations teenagers can have with AI chatbots where the “Limited Content” filter is enabled.
Instagram has already begun applying the new PG-13 content settings to AI conversations.
This move comes amid lawsuits against chatbot developers, such as OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging harm to users. Last month, OpenAI imposed new restrictions on ChatGPT users under 18, stating that the chatbot is being trained to avoid “flirtatious conversation.” Earlier this year, Character.AI also added new limits and parental controls.
Instagram is expanding the scope of controls and restrictions in various areas for underage users. The social media service will not allow teenagers to follow accounts that share content inappropriate for their age. If they do follow such accounts, they will be unable to see or interact with the content, and vice versa.
The company is also removing these accounts from recommendations, making them harder to find, and is working to prevent teenagers from seeing inappropriate content linked to them in direct messages.
Meta already prevents teenage accounts from discovering content related to eating disorders and self-harm. The company now also blocks words such as “alcohol” or “blood,” ensuring that teenagers cannot find content in these categories even if the words are misspelled.