Instagram introduces PG-13 restrictions to protect teen users
Instagram's new PG-13 content restrictions aim to protect teens online.
Image: Instagram
In a major shift aimed at making social media safer for younger audiences, Instagram has announced new “PG-13 style” content restrictions for all teen users under 18.
The move will automatically limit what teens can see on the platform, curbing exposure to strong language, mature themes, and risky behaviour.
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, says the change is its “biggest safety update yet” for teen accounts and mirrors the familiar movie rating system to help parents better understand what their children are viewing online.
“We’re doing this to really speak the language of parents,” explained Tara Hopkins, Meta’s global director of public policy, during an interview on “Good Morning America”.
Teens won’t be able to opt out without parental approval, and parents will now have access to a stricter “Limited Content” mode, which filters even more posts and disables comments entirely.
What teens will no longer see
Under the new settings, Instagram will block posts containing mature language, sexual innuendo, alcohol use, or dangerous stunts.
Teens will also be prevented from following or messaging accounts that repeatedly share inappropriate material. Searches for mature keywords such as “gore” or “drugs” will be filtered out.
Instagram’s AI tools are also being updated to comply with PG-13 guidelines, ensuring automated responses remain age-appropriate.
“The photo feed, Reels, and Explore pages will now show far fewer posts that might once have slipped through,” said Meta in a statement.
Why Instagram is doing this
The update comes as tech companies face mounting criticism from parents, lawmakers and mental health experts over the effects of social media on teens.
Studies have linked excessive use of social media to anxiety, depression, and poor body image.
Instagram first introduced “Teen Accounts” in 2024, but critics argued the protections were weak and easy to bypass.
The new restrictions aim to close those gaps while using age-prediction technology to identify underage users attempting to evade limits.
Initially rolling out in the UK, US, Australia and Canada, the changes will reach global users by 2026.
Whether these new filters will really protect teens, or simply make parents feel safer remains to be seen.
IOL Lifestyle