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Parental controls on Instagram expanded - and brought to Facebook
Meta PlatformsMeta Platforms(US:META) Sky Newsยท2025-04-08 14:04

Group 1 - Meta has updated Instagram to require parental permission for users under 16 to livestream and disable a nudity-blurring feature in messages [1][2] - The Teen Accounts system is being expanded to Facebook and Messenger, following the initial launch for Instagram in September [2][3] - Approximately 54 million teenagers globally have transitioned to Teen Accounts, with the new changes first implemented in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia [3] Group 2 - Existing safeguards for teen users include private accounts by default, blocking messages from strangers, limits on sensitive content, reminders for screen breaks, and notification restrictions during bedtime [3] - Increasing regulation, such as the UK's Online Safety Act, is pushing platforms to enhance parental controls and protect children from harmful content [6] - Concerns over end-to-end encryption in messaging apps have led to criticism from organizations like NSPCC, which argues it complicates efforts to combat child abuse [7]