Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the rollout of its Teen Accounts feature on Facebook and Messenger, a move aimed at providing safer digital experiences for users under the age of 18. The initiative, which launched on April 8, 2025, in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, is expected to expand to other regions, including Africa, in the near future.
The Teen Accounts feature introduces built-in protections designed to shield teens from harmful content and interactions. Under these accounts, teens are automatically placed under strict privacy settings that limit who can contact them and what content they can view. Additionally, public accounts are restricted to make them less discoverable by strangers.
“We want to make it easier for parents to have peace of mind when it comes to their teens’ experiences across Meta’s apps,” the company said in a statement.
Key Features of Teen Accounts
Content Restrictions: Teens are shielded from sensitive content and unwanted interactions.
Messaging Controls: Direct messaging is limited to mutual followers or approved contacts.
Screen Time Management: Notifications are disabled overnight, and users are prompted to take breaks after 60 minutes of screen time.
Parental Oversight: Parents can monitor friend lists and approve certain activities.
This expansion builds on Meta’s earlier efforts with Instagram, where Teen Accounts have been active since 2024. According to Meta, 97% of teens aged 13–15 have remained within the recommended safety settings on Instagram. Currently, there are over 54 million teen Instagram users operating under these restrictions.
New Safety Measures for Instagram
Alongside the Facebook and Messenger rollout, Meta has introduced additional protections for Instagram:
Teens under 16 will need parental approval to host live videos.
A nudity-blurring feature in direct messages will now require parental consent to disable.
Teens will be prevented from sharing images containing suspected nudity via direct messages.
These updates reflect Meta’s ongoing commitment to creating safer online spaces for young users. The company has faced increasing scrutiny over its platforms’ impact on teenagers and has invested heavily in privacy and safety measures. Since 2019, Meta has allocated $5.5 billion toward its privacy program and expanded its privacy-focused teams to over 3,000 employees.
