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Instagram Unveils New Teen Safety And Parental Control Tools For 2022
By Alexa Heah, 08 Dec 2021
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Image via Michele Ursi / Shutterstock.com
Just as Instagram chief Adam Mosseri is set to testify in front of Congress about the platform’s potential risks to children and teenagers, the app has unveiled new tools to keep young people safer, including parental controls.
The app has received backlash in the past for being a bad influence on the youth, especially with the company’s own report affirming that Instagram does indeed cause teens to “feel worse” about themselves. The company has also paused development of a kids’ version of the app following scathing criticism.
Image via Instagram
According to Mashable, the new additions specifically for teens include a feature that nudges users if they’ve spent too long on a particular topic, a ‘Take A Break’ reminder, and a ban preventing others on the app from tagging teens if they don’t follow them.
In addition, parents will be informed of how much time their child spends on Instagram, set time limits on app usage, and receive a notification when teens choose to report someone on the app. The slew of tools for parents and guardians will be available from March 2022.
Image via Instagram
“We’ll continue doing research, consulting with experts, and testing new concepts to better serve teens,” said Mosseri.
“I’m proud that young people use Instagram to connect with people that matter to them most, to explore their interests, and to even explore their identities. But none of them works unless people feel safe on Instagram,” he added.
Image via Instagram
[via Mashable, cover image via Michele Ursi / Shutterstock.com]
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