Meta rolls out Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger globally, expanding protections for young users beyond the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada. The move builds on last year’s Instagram launch, where Teen Accounts introduced stricter safety settings and parental controls.
Image Credits:Hollie Adams/Bloomberg / Getty Images
This global rollout comes after growing scrutiny from lawmakers and parents who have demanded stronger protections for teens online. By default, Teen Accounts are designed to limit exposure to inappropriate content, reduce unwanted contact, and give parents greater oversight.
What Are Teen Accounts?
Teen Accounts are Meta’s answer to rising concerns about online safety. These accounts automatically apply stricter privacy and safety settings for users under 16. Teens will need parental approval to make changes, ensuring that safety features remain in place.
The system restricts who can send messages, comment, or tag teens. For example, only friends can reply to stories, and messages are limited to existing connections.
Key Features For Teen Safety
Meta says the new accounts prioritize well-being and privacy. Here’s what teens can expect:
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Stricter Messaging Rules: Teens can only get messages from people they follow or have contacted before.
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Safer Social Interactions: Tags, mentions, and comments are restricted to friends or followed accounts.
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Time Management Tools: Teens get reminders after one hour of daily use.
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Quiet Mode: Accounts automatically enter downtime overnight to encourage healthy breaks.
These features are designed to reduce exposure to harmful content while promoting healthier social media habits.
Why Now?
The expansion of Teen Accounts comes as Meta faces ongoing criticism. A whistleblower-led study found that teens were still encountering harmful content on Instagram despite protections. Reports suggested exposure to posts about self-harm and inappropriate material remained a risk.
Meta disputes these claims, arguing that Teen Accounts significantly reduce harmful interactions. Still, by extending the program to Facebook and Messenger, the company is signaling a commitment to stronger, platform-wide protections.
Meta’s move reflects a broader trend in tech: companies are under pressure to prove they can safeguard younger audiences. With regulators worldwide calling for stricter accountability, Teen Accounts could help Meta regain trust while keeping teens more secure online.
As Meta rolls out Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger globally, the question remains whether these changes are enough to protect teens—or if stricter regulation will still be necessary.
