Meta is taking a proactive step toward safer digital parenting. The company previewed new parental controls for its AI experiences, designed to give parents more visibility and control over how teens interact with AI chatbots across its platforms.
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The new tools—rolling out in early 2026—will let parents block certain AI characters, monitor conversation topics, and even turn off AI chats completely. Meta says the goal is to make its platforms safer and more transparent for families navigating the world of generative AI.
What’s Included In Meta’s New Parental Controls
With these upcoming features, parents will be able to:
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Block AI chats entirely for teens, limiting access to specific AI characters while still allowing safe interactions with Meta AI, the company’s general-purpose chatbot.
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View conversation topics, helping parents understand what their teens are discussing with AI in a privacy-conscious way.
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Turn off individual AI characters selectively, giving parents more granular control.
Meta noted that these features will first launch on Instagram in early 2026, available in English across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.
A Safer AI Space For Teens
According to Meta, all AI interactions for teens will adhere to a PG-13 content standard, avoiding subjects like nudity, explicit violence, or drug use. The company said it wants AI experiences to feel creative and fun while maintaining safety boundaries.
In addition, Meta emphasized that only a limited number of AI characters will be available to teen users, all programmed to follow age-appropriate content guidelines. Parents will also have the option to set time limits on how long their teens can chat with AI characters.
Meta’s Focus On Family Safety And Transparency
Instagram head Adam Mosseri and new Meta AI head Alexandr Wang said in a joint statement that the company understands parents are already balancing a lot when it comes to online safety.
“We’re committed to giving parents tools that simplify their lives, especially as they navigate emerging technologies like AI,” the post read.
This move builds on Meta’s broader initiative to make AI experiences more transparent and family-friendly—an important step as generative AI continues to evolve across social platforms.
Meta’s Ongoing Efforts To Protect Teens Online
Earlier this year, Instagram began using AI to detect users who may be faking their age to bypass restrictions. The company’s continued investment in safety tools aligns with its push to build trust with parents while promoting responsible AI use.
By previewing these new parental controls for its AI experiences, Meta signals its commitment to balancing innovation with protection—helping families embrace AI safely in the digital age.
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