BUFFALO, N.Y. — This week, Meta launched Instagram Teen Accounts.
Since Tuesday, kids from 13 to 17 years old automatically default to the social media platform’s strictest safety settings. Meta safety policy team member Kira Wong O’Connor, who leads on policy partnerships and bullying and harassment, said the company made the changes with guidance and in consultation with parents.
“If you’re under 18 and you’re using Instagram, you will be automatically be placed into Teen Accounts, which provides these built-in protections like private accounts by default, the ability to only contact and message people whom you’re already following and our time management tools which means that after 60 minutes on Instagram Teen Accounts, we will be notifying you with a reminder that you’ve been on for 60 minutes,” Wong O’Connor said.
Kids under 13 are already prohibited from signing up for the website. Meta said it also recognizes all teens …