Instagram unveils new tools to manage teens’ use in wake of company backlash
Global News
The tools come after an internal Facebook whistleblower released internal research that showed teen girls feel worse about themselves after using Instagram.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, announced new tools on Tuesday it says will help teenage Instagram users limit their use of the platform while allowing parents and guardians to control their children’s experience.
The tools, which include a previously announced “Take a Break” notification feature that officially launched in Canada and other countries Tuesday, come in the wake of damning internal research released by a whistleblower earlier this year showing negative mental health impacts on teenage users, particularly girls.
“I’m proud that our platform is a place where teens can spend time with the people they care about, explore their interests and explore who they are,” said Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, in a statement.
“I want to make sure that it stays that way, which means above all keeping them safe on Instagram.”
The Take a Break feature will send notifications after a certain amount of time reminding users to set the app aside, while also showing “expert-backed tips to help them reflect and reset,” the company says.
Users in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia will begin receiving suggestions to turn the feature on as part of an initial launch Tuesday. Instagram says the rollout will expand worldwide by early 2022.
Instagram also plans to launch a new feature for parents and guardians in March of next year that will allow them to not only view how much time their children are spending on the platform, but also set time limits. A new “educational hub” with resources to help adults discuss social media use with their kids is also in development, with no launch date announced yet.
Other features coming to Instagram early next year include allowing teens to inform their parents if they have reported a user for inappropriate behaviour, and switching off all users’ ability to tag or mention teens who don’t follow them.
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