Instagram Launches Enhanced Safety Features for Teens in India: A Parent's Guide

What are Instagram Teen Accounts?

• Limit unwanted contact: Control who can message and interact with teens. 

• Show age-appropriate content: Filter out content that might be harmful or inappropriate. 

• Help manage time on Instagram: Encourage healthy screen time habits. 

Key Safety Features for Teen Accounts

• Private by Default: When a teen creates a new account, it's automatically set to private. This means only people they approve can see their posts, stories, and profiles. 

• Messaging Restrictions: Teens can only receive messages from people they already follow. This helps prevent strangers from contacting them. 

• Sensitive Content Control: These accounts have stricter filters to limit exposure to sensitive content, like depictions of violence or promotions of cosmetic procedures. 

• Limited Interactions: Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow. This prevents unwanted attention and potential bullying. 

• Hidden Words: The strictest version of Instagram's "Hidden Words" feature is automatically turned on, filtering out offensive language in comments and message requests. 

• Time Limit Reminders: After 60 minutes of daily use, teens will get a notification encouraging them to take a break. 

• Sleep Mode: From 10 PM to 7 AM, notifications are muted to promote healthy sleep habits. 

Parental Supervision: How it Works?

• Set Time Limits: Parents can set daily time limits for their teen's Instagram use. 

• Schedule Sleep Mode: Parents can set up sleep mode to restrict Instagram use during specific hours. 

• View Activity: Parents can see how much time their teens spend on Instagram, which accounts they follow, and which accounts follow them. They can also see who their teen has blocked. 

• Approve/Deny Setting Changes: If a teen under 16 wants to change their safety settings to be less restrictive (like switching to a public account), they'll need parental approval. Parents will receive a notification of the request and can approve or deny it. 

Important points about Supervision

• Teens must be between 13 and 17, and parents must be over 18 to use supervision features. 

• Only one parent can supervise a teen's account. 

• Parents can supervise multiple teen accounts but can only send one active invite at a time. 

• Supervision automatically ends when the teen turns 18. 

How to Set Up Supervision?

• Sending the Invite: A teen or parent sends an invite for supervision via Instagram. 

• Accepting the Invite: The other party (parent or teen) must accept the invitation. 

• Confirmation (If Teen Sends Invite): If the teen sends the invite, they need to confirm that the parent who accepted is the correct person to supervise their account. 

For Teens: What You Need to Know

• Privacy is Key: Your account is private by default, but you'll need your parent's permission to switch to a public account if you're under 16. 

• You're in Control: You can still report inappropriate content and block users. 

• Talk to Your Parents: Communication is essential! Talk to your parents about your online experiences and any concerns you have. 

• Know Your Limits: Pay attention to the time limit reminders and try to take breaks from Instagram regularly. 

For Parents: Tips for a Safer Experience

• Get Involved: Learn about Instagram and its safety features. The more you know, the better you can protect your teen. 

• Have Open Conversations: Talk to your teen about online safety, responsible social media usage, and the potential risks of the internet. 

• Respect Their Privacy: While supervision allows you to monitor their activity, it's essential to respect their privacy and build trust. 

• Set Boundaries Together: Work with your teen to establish clear rules and expectations for their Instagram use. 

Conclusion