Instagram has launched a series of new features designed to protect teenagers from sextortion scams, responding to growing concerns about child safety on social media. Among the updates are measures to block screenshots and screen recordings of disappearing messages. When users attempt to capture a single-view message, a black screen will appear, preventing unauthorized captures.
Additionally, Instagram is testing safety notifications that alert teenagers when they are messaging someone potentially located outside their country. Accounts exhibiting “scammy” behaviors, especially newly created ones, will face restrictions that prevent them from viewing a user’s followers and following lists. This strategy aims to deter scammers from exploiting these lists to target potential victims.
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To further enhance safety, images flagged for nudity will automatically appear blurred for users under 18. These changes follow the introduction of designated Teen accounts, which come with restrictions like making accounts private by default and allowing parental oversight of messaging activities.
Sextortion, which involves predators coercing individuals—often minors—into sharing explicit content with threats of releasing the material, has prompted Meta to take these steps as part of a broader initiative to address rising concerns regarding the protection of teenagers online. Despite these efforts, critics argue that Meta’s actions fall short. Annie Seifullah, a lawyer involved in sextortion cases related to Meta platforms, described the new measures as “too little, too late,” emphasizing that the company has been aware of the issues for far too long.
