Recently, Instagram has launched Teen Accounts in India, ensuring a safer and more private online experience for young users. This new feature has built-in protections that limit unwanted interactions, enhance privacy settings, and give parents more control over their teen’s social media usage.

https://about.fb.com/news/2025/02/introducing-teen-accounts-in-india-on-instagram/

Why Teen Safety on Instagram Matters

With more teens spending time online, concerns about cyberbullying, privacy risks, and harmful content have grown. Instagram’s Teen Accounts address these concerns by automatically applying the highest safety settings for users under 16. These settings create a secure and age-appropriate environment, helping teens navigate social media safely.

Natasha Jog, Director, Public Policy India, Instagram, says: “At Meta, safety is a top priority. With Teen Accounts, we are strengthening protections, improving content controls, and giving parents more oversight to ensure a safer experience for teens.”

Key Features of Instagram Teen Accounts

1. Private Accounts by Default
   • Teen accounts are automatically set to private mode, meaning only approved followers can see their content. This applies to all users under 16 and new users under 18.
2. Messaging Restrictions
   • Teens can receive messages only from people they follow, reducing unwanted interactions.
3. Sensitive Content Control
   • Teens will have limited exposure to harmful content, including violence, self-harm discussions, and cosmetic procedure promotions.
4. Tagging & Mention Limits
   • Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow.
5. Time Limit Reminders
   • After 60 minutes of usage, teens will get reminders to take a break.
6. Sleep Mode (10 PM – 7 AM)
   • Notifications will be muted overnight, reducing screen time.

Parental Supervision Tools

Parents now have more control over their teen’s Instagram activity. For users under 16, any attempt to make safety settings less restrictive will require parental approval.

New parental controls include:

• Monitoring Messages: Parents can see who their teen has messaged in the last 7 days (without reading the content).
• Daily Screen Time Limits: Parents can set time restrictions, after which Instagram will be blocked.
• Blocking Instagram at Specific Hours: Parents can disable access during school hours or bedtime.

Mansi Zaveri, Founder & CEO of Kidsstoppress.com, supports this move: “Teen safety online is crucial. Instagram’s new Teen Accounts feature strengthens privacy settings, limits unwanted interactions, and helps parents monitor social media use.”

Stronger Age Verification for Extra Safety

To prevent young users from lying about their age, Instagram is strengthening age verification measures. If someone tries to create an account with an adult birthdate, extra verification steps will be required.

Additionally, content protections will ensure that teens only see age-appropriate material, with sensitive content controls set to the strictest level by default. Even if a friend shares restricted content, Instagram will automatically hide it.

The introduction of Teen Accounts is a significant step toward creating a safer digital space for young users in India. With improved privacy controls, content filters, and parental supervision, Instagram aims to balance teen autonomy with online safety.

Uma Subramanian, Co-Founder & Director, RATI Foundation, states: “These updates add an extra layer of security and help make social media safer for teens. Effective implementation will ensure meaningful improvements in online safety.”

With Teen Accounts, Instagram is making social media a safer, healthier, and more responsible space for young users in India.