Instagram has unveiled its new safety settings for young users who create an account on the social media platform. Those under 16 years old will find that their profile will be set to private by default for their protection.
According to reports, Instagram has decided to change the settings for new accounts after conducting various tests that showed eight out of 10 kids between the ages of 14 to 16 still prefer a "more private experience" when using the platform. The kids are also more inclined to use the default setting, which was previously set in public, and will no longer fiddle with their accounts once the sign-up is complete.
The company, however, said that the changes needed to be implemented to build a good experience specific to minors but whose accounts may still be managed by their parents or guardians. They still have the option to switch to a public profile if they prefer. Teenagers who have existing public Instagram accounts will receive a notification about putting their profiles in private.
In a statement, Instagram's head of public policy, Karina Newton, said they want to help the kids use the platform by developing "healthy and quality habits."
Calls to Expand Protection
The move is in line with Congress' push to expand privacy laws and the protection of minors on social media platforms. Based on federal laws, Instagram has long banned children under 13 years old from signing up, but critics said this still leaves other minors vulnerable.
The social media site acknowledged that some kids using their platform received "unwanted contacts" from adults with suspicious behavior. This change will essentially limit such activities because the teens' accounts will no longer appear on the recommended reels. The profiles will also not appear in the searches.
In March 2021, Instagram also limited access or banned adults who sent private messages to random teenagers they do not follow on the platform.
The protection will also cover targeted ads, which means that the data of the minors on the app will be restricted from advertisers. The company said that they are listening to advocates who said that young people may still not be capable of taking a precautionary approach on its social media use; hence they've done this for the kids.
Once the users turn 18 years old, then the limitations will automatically be lifted.
Facebook Also Making Changes
Instagram's sister company, Facebook, is also changing its rules for targeted ads on minors beginning with its Messenger app. The platform will limit advertisements for accounts below 18 years old as it will stop sharing data and tracking these minors' habits, interests, and other activities.
The two companies said they would improve their methods for age verification in the coming months as some critics said it's easy for anyone to circumvent this process. They are investing in more artificial intelligence technology to scan and detect profiles that suggest the user is a minor.
Instagram came under fire a few years ago for its lack of attention on its young users. The platform only started asking for the users' birthdates in 2019.
Josh Golin of the advocacy group Fairplay said this is a "step in the right direction" for the tech companies. He said that it's good to see that Instagram and Facebook are taking action and responding to the pressure.
