In a significant move to bolster online safety for young users, Instagram is implementing new restrictions that will limit teenagers to PG-13-rated content by default, requiring parental consent for any alterations to these settings. Meta, Instagram's parent company, announced the changes on Tuesday, stating that the update is the most significant to teen accounts since their introduction last year.

Under the new guidelines, teens under 18 will automatically be placed into an updated 13+ setting, preventing them from opting out without a parent's permission. This ensures that the content they encounter on the platform aligns with the standards of a PG-13 movie, effectively filtering out material with explicit or mature themes. According to Meta, this includes hiding or not recommending posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and content that could encourage potentially harmful behaviors, such as posts showing marijuana paraphernalia.

Recognizing the diverse needs of families, Instagram is also introducing a stricter setting for parents who desire a more restrictive experience for their teens. The company has been gathering feedback from parents worldwide to ensure that these changes align with their expectations.

These restrictions go beyond previous safeguards, blocking accounts that regularly share age-inappropriate content or have names or bios containing inappropriate material. Mature search terms, such as "alcohol" and "gore," will also be blocked. Furthermore, posts from accounts teens already follow will be hidden if they violate the rules, including messages in direct messages.

Instagram has faced increasing criticism regarding its impact on teen mental health and the type of content to which young users are exposed. In response, Meta has promised to prevent teens from seeing inappropriate content, such as posts about self-harm, eating disorders, or suicide. The new PG-13 restrictions are a further step in this direction.

To enforce these restrictions, Instagram will employ age prediction technology to ensure teens are placed under the appropriate content protections, even if they misrepresent their age. The company acknowledges that no system is perfect and is committed to continuous improvement.

While some suggestive content or strong language may occasionally slip through, similar to what one might encounter in a PG-13 movie, Instagram aims to minimize such instances. The company hopes that this update will reassure parents that it is actively working to provide teens with a safer, more age-appropriate online experience.