Meta leads platform response to teen online safety

The Centre welcomes the news that Meta will start moving users under 18 years on its Instagram platform into special Teen Accounts with built-in protections to improve online safety this week.

In a statement, Meta, the company behind social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads, announced the Teen Accounts would limit who can contact teens and the content they see. Teens under 16 would need a parent’s permission to change any built-in protections and additional supervision tools are available for parents.

In its statement, Meta said: “We understand parents’ concerns, and that’s why we’re reimagining our apps for teens with new Teen Accounts. This new experience is designed to better support parents and give them peace of mind that their teens are safe with the right protections in place. Teens will also get access to a new feature, made just for them, that lets them select topics they want to see more of in Explore and their recommendations so they can focus on the fun, positive content they love.”

The Centre’s CEO Deb Tsorbaris said she was pleased that platform providers were taking responsibility for the part they play in keeping children and young people safe online and giving parents tools to support their children.

“Online safety is the collective responsibility of governments, platform providers, communities and parents, and we all have a part to play in setting standards for safety for children and young people and all users of social media platforms,” she said.

“I hope that in the coming days, we will see all social media platforms follow this lead and introduce accounts that support calls from parents and governments around the world that will protect children and young people and deliver the safe online experiences we want them to enjoy,” she said.

The Centre will host the annual OPEN Child Rights Seminar, Online Safety and the Rights of Children and Young People, next week, with a focus on online safety and children’s rights. Presenters include Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner, Rebekah Kilpatrick, Head of the National Office for Child Safety, and leading researchers, parent advocates and a panel from Prevention Uniting Youth Advisory Group.

Get tickets to the online event on Monday 23 September here.

Read the Meta Teens Accounts announcement here.