That changes for teenagers

As the operator of Instagram and Facebook, Meta has introduced new rules that affect underage users. They should be better protected from “potentially suspicious adults”. Among other things, new privacy settings are available and making contact is made more difficult.

Instagram and Facebook: More protection for teenagers

Stricter rules apply to the meta-platforms Instagram and Facebook with immediate effect when it comes to the Data protection and the privacy of underage users goes. The group has announced several steps to ensure increased protection in social networks. The focus is on new privacy settings on Facebook and security measures when making contact via Instagram.

People under the age of 16 are given the opportunity on Facebook to Restrict adult viewing of their profile. In some countries, the option is available up to the age of 18. In addition, it is restricted who can see their own friends list. Even pages and people who are followed on Facebook are no longer fully visible (source: Meta).

On Instagram and Facebook, Meta wants to protect young users even more from “potentially suspicious adults”. Interaction with adults with whom there is no connection is to be made even more difficult. Among other things, users are asked if they know the person who sent them a message. Blocking and reporting functions are explained more clearly. Meta also tests the Remove the message button from teenagers’ Instagram profiles altogetherwhen adult users view the profile.

How to make your Facebook account more secure:

Meta cooperates with NCMEC platform

In announcing the new protective measures for young people, Meta explains that they have started a cooperation with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). A global platform is to be created, which prevents intimate pictures of teenagers from being published. It will later be made available to other tech companies.