Instagram Introduces Specialized Accounts For Teens With Built-In Privacy Protections

Instagram revealed on Tuesday the introduction of specialized accounts tailored for teenage users, featuring enhanced privacy measures.

According to abc news, these new profiles, referred to as “Teen Accounts,” will be automatically created for all users under 18, whether they are existing members of the platform or new users registering for the first time. Instagram has implemented a new policy requiring users under the age of 16 to obtain parental consent before modifying their account settings. This initiative, which is anticipated to affect millions of users, was disclosed by Instagram’s chief, Adam Mosseri, during a live segment on “Good Morning America.”

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“They’re an automatic set of protections for teens that try to proactively address the top concerns that we’ve heard from parents about teens online,” Mosseri said on “GMA.” “Things like who can contact them, what content they see and how much time they spend on their device … all without requiring any involvement from the parent.”

Mosseri announced that the launch of Teen Accounts will begin on Tuesday for new users registering for the app, while current teen users will transition to the new Teen Accounts format within 60 days.

Instagram has implemented several changes, including a privacy feature that automatically sets all teen accounts to private. Teens under 16 must obtain parental consent to switch to a public account.

With the private account setting, teens must approve new followers, and only those they accept will be able to view their content and interact with them.

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Additionally, teen users will now only be able to send messages to people they follow or those already in their connections. Parents will also gain access to a new tool in their settings that allows them to see whom their teen has been messaging recently.

In the past year, Combs has faced lawsuits from individuals claiming he subjected them to physical or sexual abuse. He has refuted many of these accusations, and his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, stated outside the courthouse on Tuesday morning that Combs plans to plead not guilty. Agnifilo expressed his determination to vigorously advocate for Combs’s release from custody.

While Agnifilo did not provide specifics about the indictment, he mentioned that Combs was aware it was forthcoming and had moved to New York two weeks prior in preparation. He described Combs as being in good spirits and confident about the situation.