Instagram Implements PG-13 Filters for Teen Accounts in Major Safety Update

Instagram Says It's Safeguarding Teens by Limiting Them to PG-13 Content

Teenagers on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won't be able to change their settings without a parent's permission, Meta announced on Tuesday. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie -- no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts, among others. "This includes hiding or not recommending posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and additional content that could encourage potentially harmful behaviors, such as posts showing marijuana paraphernalia," Meta said in a blog post Tuesday, calling the update the most significant since it introduced teen accounts last year. The company is also adding an even stricter setting that parents can set up for their children. The changes come as the social media giant faces relentless criticism over harms to children. As it seeks to add safeguards for teens, Meta has already promised it wouldn't show inappropriate content to teens, such as posts about self-harm, eating disorders or suicide. But this does not always work. A recent report, for instance, found that teen accounts researchers created were recommended age-inappropriate sexual content, including "graphic sexual descriptions, the use of cartoons to describe demeaning sexual acts, and brief displays of nudity." In addition, Instagram also recommended a "range of self-harm, self-injury, and body image content" on teen accounts that the report says "would be reasonably likely to result in adverse impacts for young people, including teenagers experiencing poor mental health, or self-harm and suicidal ideation and behaviors." Meta says the new restrictions go further than its previous safeguards. Teens will no longer be able to follow accounts that regularly share "age-inappropriate content" or if their name or bio contains something that isn't appropriate for teens, such as a link to an OnlyFans account. If teens already follow these accounts, they'll no longer be able to see or interact with their content, send them messages, or see their comments under anyone's posts, the company said. The accounts also won't be able to follow teens, send them private messages or comment on their posts. Meta said it already blocks certain search terms related to sensitive topics such as suicide and eating disorders, but the latest update will expand this to a broader range of terms, such as "alcohol" or "gore" -- even if they are misspelled. The PG-13 update will also apply artificial intelligence chats and experiences targeted to teens, Meta said, "meaning AIs should not give age-inappropriate responses that would feel out of place in a PG-13 movie." For parents who want an even stricter setting for their kids, Meta is also launching a "limited content" restriction that will block more content and remove teens' ability to see, leave, or receive comments under posts.

Instagram Is Making a 'Significant Update' to Hundreds of Millions of Teen Accounts. Here's What to Know.

Under the new update, teens will see content on Instagram similar to what they might see in a PG-13 movie, which typically allows some swear words and violence. Instagram already blocks posts for teens that feature nudity, graphic images, and sexually suggestive content, but the platform is taking it a step further -- it will now avoid recommending posts that include excessive profanity or risky stunts to teens. Anyone under 18 will automatically be placed into this safer PG-13 setting. If they want to opt out, they will need a parent's permission. "Just like you might see some suggestive content or hear some strong language in a PG-13 movie, teens may occasionally see something like that on Instagram -- but we're going to keep doing all we can to keep those instances as rare as possible," Instagram wrote in the press release. Related: You Can Soon Use ChatGPT to Buy Products From the World's Largest Retailer The PG-13 policy will roll out by the end of the year to teen accounts in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. One of Instagram's new PG-13 features is age-gating: if an account regularly posts content that isn't appropriate for teens, featuring adult themes or risky behavior, Instagram will prevent teen users from seeing that account, interacting with its posts, sending messages or viewing its comments. If a business routinely posts content with alcohol, gambling, adult themes or stunts, Instagram will automatically stop teens from following, viewing or interacting with the account. Businesses targeting teens should ensure that their content meets the new safety standards or risk being blocked from teen audiences. Instagram will also block teens from searching for sensitive topics, like alcohol or gore. The platform already has controls in place for search terms related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. Related: Meta Is Using Your AI Chatbot Conversations for the Ad Algorithm on Facebook and Instagram Additionally, Instagram will start limiting the kinds of conversations teens can have with Meta's AI chatbot. This means the AI will avoid sharing suggestive, explicit, or otherwise inappropriate material. Meta commissioned a survey last month and found that 95% of U.S. parents of teens think these updated Instagram settings will be helpful. Parents who want even tighter controls than the default PG-13 setting can switch their teen's account to "Limited Content." This more restrictive mode filters out additional types of content and stops teens from viewing, posting comments, or receiving comments on posts. Beginning in 2026, Instagram's Limited Content setting will also restrict which types of AI conversations teens can have, further tightening safety controls across the app. Related: Meta Is Adding AI to Facebook Dating to Help 'Anyone Tired of Swiping' Find a Better Match Instagram rolled out teen accounts last year and said the feature automatically adds built-in safety protections for younger users. That means teens get private accounts by default, can only get messages from people they already follow, have tougher restrictions on sensitive content and get reminders to log off after an hour each day. Additionally, the app goes into sleep mode between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., muting notifications. In April, Instagram announced that it was using AI to spot teens who try to pass themselves off as adults, automatically putting those users into the age-appropriate teen account.