Meta takes a big step with Facebook and Messenger, adding accounts for teenagers
Meta, the company behind Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, has announced a new feature designed specifically for teenagers. These accounts will first be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans to expand to other regions in the future (including, of course, Arab countries).
This move aims to provide a safer and more controlled social media experience for younger users, which is always a good thing to give parents peace of mind.
Notably, it was first implemented on Instagram in September of last year in response to concerns raised by US lawmakers regarding the inadequacy of teen protection measures by Meta and other social media companies. With new security features aimed at preventing unwanted contact and restricting access to inappropriate content, the company is now extending this feature to Facebook and Messenger.
Teens under the age of sixteen will require parental consent in order to modify the default settings on these accounts, among other things. The experience will also be made to limit the kinds of content they can view and the people they can interact with.
With some businesses starting to impose restrictions requiring teens to get parental consent before using social media, Meta's actions demonstrate their dedication to addressing worries about the impact of social media on teens' mental health.
The benefits of teen Instagram accounts have been emphasized by Meta. Over 54 million teenagers have already switched to these protected accounts, the company claims. Furthermore, 97% of users between the ages of 13 and 15 continue to activate the built-in security. According to a Meta-commissioned Ipsos survey, 85% of parents think these accounts help them have positive Instagram experiences, and 94% of parents find them helpful for keeping an eye on their kids' online activity.
Notwithstanding these advancements, Meta is criticized for its parental controls and its capacity to guarantee that only legitimate parents keep an eye on their kids' accounts.
The brand currently determines whether an adult is qualified to manage a teen's account based on factors like birthdates and the number of accounts under an adult's supervision. It does not, however, carry out official verification to verify that the adult is, in fact, a parent or guardian.