Meta has officially rolled out new safety measures that ban teens under the age of 16 from using Instagram Live - unless they have explicit parental consent. The move is part of a broader push to bolster protections for younger users across Meta’s platforms.
Alongside the livestream restrictions, teens will now need a parent’s approval to disable a feature that automatically blurs suspected nudity in direct messages. These updates are part of Meta’s continued efforts to expand its “Teen Accounts” initiative, which was introduced last September to give parents more control over their children’s online experiences.
The expanded safeguards are being implemented across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. They include default private account settings for teens, limits on who can send direct messages, tighter restrictions on sensitive content (like fight videos), reminders to take breaks after 60 minutes of app use, and automatic notification silencing during bedtime hours.
"Teenagers under the age of sixteen are prohibited from accessing Instagram Live unless their parents grant them permission," according to the latest update from Mark Zuckerberg’s company. Meta also confirmed that parental consent is now required before a teen can “turn off our feature that blurs images containing suspected nudity” in direct messaging.
The rollout comes amid growing global scrutiny over how social media affects young users. In Australia, lawmakers recently voted to restrict teens under 16 from using social media platforms entirely, while TikTok introduced parental time limit tools across the EU.
Meta’s latest changes reflect a wider industry trend toward stronger accountability and safety for teens online. As the number of adolescent users continues to rise, so does the urgency to create digital environments that prioritize their well-being. The tech giant’s actions may prompt similar measures from other major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter), as pressure mounts from regulators, advocacy groups, and concerned parents alike.
Ultimately, the shift signals more than just a change in policy—it marks a growing commitment to safeguarding young people in an increasingly connected world.
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