Instagram Introduces Feature To Protect Accounts Featuring Children

Instagram, the social network owned by Meta, is adding new protection features for adult-managed Instagram accounts whose content predominantly features children. 

The company announced this feature on its blog, as reported by TechCrunch on Wednesday (July 23rd local time). 

Related accounts will automatically be placed in the app's most restrictive messaging settings to prevent receiving unwanted messages. 

The accounts in question are those managed by adults who regularly share photos and videos of their children, as well as accounts managed by adults, such as talent managers who represent children. 

"While these accounts are largely used for harmless purposes, unfortunately, some people may try to abuse them, leaving sexually suggestive comments on their posts or requesting sexual images in DMs, which clearly violates our rules," Meta said in a statement. 

The statement further added, "Today we're announcing steps to help prevent this abuse." 

In addition to stricter direct message controls, the platform is also introducing a "Hidden Words" filter for account owners to filter out offensive comments. 

Meta stated that it is working to prevent potentially suspicious adults, such as those blocked by teens, from discovering accounts that primarily feature children. 

Meta will prevent suspicious adults from recommending these accounts on Instagram, and vice versa, and will make it more difficult for them to find each other in Instagram Search. 

Today's announcement comes after both Meta and Instagram have taken steps over the past year to address mental health issues related to social media. 

Tag: Instagram Meta