Instagram is taking major steps to protect its teenage users. The social media platform, owned by Meta, announced it will limit the content teens can see based on PG-13 ratings. The new rules will also apply to conversations between teens and Instagram’s artificial intelligence chatbots.
The update, set to roll out by the end of 2025, aims to make content safer and more appropriate for young users. By following the PG-13 standard, Instagram hopes parents will feel more comfortable with what their children encounter online. PG-13-rated material may include mild violence or some swearing, but nudity and sexual content will be restricted.
Max Eulenstein, Instagram’s head of product management, said the changes were guided by parent feedback. “Our North Star in the teen experience is parents and what they’re telling us they want for their teens,” he said. This approach follows Instagram’s 2024 overhaul, which made accounts under 18 private by default.
The platform now has hundreds of millions of teenage users. Last year, Instagram limited what content teens could see in their feeds. The new “Instagram Teen Safety” measures will make it harder for teens to access adult content and prevent interactions with certain accounts. Parents can also impose a stricter “Limited Content” setting, beyond PG-13 guidelines.
Meta is also focusing on AI chatbots, which have faced criticism for inappropriate conversations. The company confirmed that AI characters will avoid giving responses unsuitable for teenagers. Panels of thousands of parents helped rate app content, and AI moderation tools will enforce PG-13 standards across the platform.
Instagram’s updates are part of Meta’s ongoing effort to address child safety concerns. Lawmakers have scrutinized the company, and lawsuits have been filed claiming harm to minors due to addictive social media use. With these latest changes, Instagram aims to strengthen safety and create a more controlled environment for its teenage audience.
In other news also read about Snapchat Users Furious as App Plans Fees for Storing Old Photos and Videos
