Meta Introduces Enhanced Safety Features for Young Users
In an effort to create a safer online environment, Meta is rolling out new safety settings specifically tailored for users under 18 on Facebook and Instagram.
Riley Harper
- 2024-01-14
- Updated 02:17 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced plans to unveil new safety features that are designed to protect teen users on its platforms. In response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of young people, Meta will be reducing the visibility of content related to self-harm and eating disorders for teenage users. Furthermore, the company has developed over 30 tools and resources aimed at assisting teens and their parents in navigating the platforms safely.
Automatic Safety Adjustments and Privacy Prompts
The upcoming changes will automatically place teens in the most restrictive content settings upon joining Instagram and Facebook. This will limit the types of content that they can come across and the search terms that are available to them on these platforms. Additionally, Instagram will introduce prompts encouraging teens to review and update their privacy settings, ensuring that they have the most appropriate safeguards in place.
Concerns and Testimonies Regarding Teen Safety
Ex-employee Arturo Bejar has recently brought to light that Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, allegedly dismissed concerns and initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of younger users. These concerns were highlighted by documents released in November. Moreover, the tech giant has faced legal accusations, including one lawsuit claiming that accounts of children under the age of 13 were not properly managed, and another, filed in December, which described Meta as a conduit for child predators.
Meta's efforts to provide safer, age-appropriate experiences for teens come amid growing scrutiny over its handling of youth safety. The new settings and tools are expected to be introduced in the following months, marking a significant shift in how the company moderates content for its younger user base. With these changes, Meta aims to address some of the criticism it has faced and improve its overall platform safety.
