‘Definitely will help’: Valley detective applauds changes to minors’ Instagrams

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Instagram’s new age restrictions have gone into effect, and law enforcement says the features could help prevent internet crimes against children.

The move comes after Meta announced new ‘ Instagram teen accounts ‘ for those under 18 on Tuesday. With the new restricted teen account, sensitive content such as violence or those promoting an unhealthy body image will be limited.

“It definitely will help us,” Detective Fernando Rosario from Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force said.

New accounts, made by minors, will automatically be private; those with existing accounts will become private within the next 60 days.

Rosario said these accounts will also limit direct messaging – now, teens can only receive messages from those they follow.

“The predators that are seeking teens will not be able to just message anybody,” Rosario said.

From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., all notifications will be silenced, and if someone sends a message during this time, “it will automatically send a reply pretty much saying that it’s on a sleep mode.”

Instagram will now notify children after they have been on the app for 60 minutes; however, they have the option to ignore it and keep scrolling.

Kids will have trouble lying about their age as the platform now has features to verify that type of information, such as uploading an ID or using AI.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction, I don’t think it’s going to stop it completely,” Rosario said.

Those under 18, who have existing Instagram accounts, will see a transition in the next 60 days. However, 16- and 17-year-olds can turn it off, and those under 16 who have their parents’ permission can do so also.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | CBS47 and KSEE24.