Social media platforms have come under increasing scrutiny for their influence on young users, particularly regarding privacy, safety, and mental health. Instagram, one of the most popular social networks among teenagers, is taking steps to address these concerns by introducing new privacy measures and controls for underage users. These changes are part of a broader initiative to create safer and more age-appropriate experiences for teens online. While these efforts are focused primarily in the U.S., similar discussions are emerging across Europe, with regulators pushing for tighter restrictions on how social media platforms interact with minors.
Starting this week, Instagram will default all new and existing accounts for users under 18 years old to private mode. In private mode, an account holder must approve new followers before they can view, like, or comment on their posts. This feature aims to prevent unwanted contact and safeguard minors from inappropriate or harmful content. In addition to this, Instagram will limit sensitive material, such as nudity or self-harm discussions, for minors and restrict direct messages from people they do not follow.
While these updates are being rolled out in the U.S., Canada, Britain, and Australia initially, Instagram plans to extend them to other regions, including European countries, starting in early 2024. Europe, however, is no stranger to social media regulation. The European Union (EU) has already imposed several rules, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates stricter privacy controls, especially for minors. The recent Digital Services Act (DSA) also pushes for increased accountability from social media companies, with potential implications for how platforms handle young users.
Concerns over social media’s impact on teenagers extend beyond privacy. Mental health professionals and child advocates argue that exposure to curated content, like unrealistic beauty standards or extreme ideologies, can negatively influence adolescent mental well-being. Governments in the EU have started to take notice. France, for example, has introduced legislation that requires influencers to disclose when their images are digitally altered, a move aimed at reducing the pressure on young people to conform to unrealistic body standards. Other countries, such as Germany and Spain, are also exploring legal frameworks to safeguard teenagers from harmful content online.
Yet, despite these efforts, a major challenge remains: age verification. Many teens simply lie about their age to bypass restrictions. To combat this, Instagram is experimenting with new verification tools, such as age-estimation technology that uses video selfies. These technologies are being piloted in select countries and are expected to expand globally, including in Europe.
For parents, Instagram is rolling out enhanced supervision tools. These features allow parents to monitor their child’s activity, set usage limits, and see a list of people their teenager has recently interacted with. Such tools offer families an additional layer of control, complementing the platform’s built-in restrictions.
As these changes roll out, the debate continues over how best to balance privacy, safety, and freedom for young users. While Instagram’s new policies may be a step in the right direction, it’s clear that collaboration between governments, social media platforms, and families is essential to create a safer online environment for teenagers, both in the U.S. and across Europe.