Last October, Instagram Teen Accounts in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada were updated with a default 13+ content setting inspired by movie ratings and parent feedback, helping teens see age-appropriate content. A stricter Limited Content setting was also introduced for parents wanting more control. This 13+ content setting is now expanding globally across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, hiding inappropriate content and limiting interactions with inappropriate profiles and links. The Limited Content setting will be available on Facebook and Messenger later this year.
Parents worldwide have rated over 15 million pieces of content, with fewer than 2% deemed inappropriate in a recent survey. Instagram is testing ways to prevent teens from repeatedly seeing certain content types, like posts about nutrition or anxiety, to ensure balanced exposure.
An external safety expert group, Alice, conducted adversarial stress-testing of the Teen Account settings. Their assessment showed Instagram's default 13+ setting exposes teens to 68% less mature content than competitors, and the Limited Content setting reduces this by 96%. Mature content seen was less intense, and Instagram blocked mature search terms more often. Key functionalities like default settings and parental controls worked as intended.
Alice identified two improvement areas, which Instagram addressed promptly: enhancing detection of accounts sharing inappropriate content and updating policies to restrict new risky trends like "car surfing." Instagram commits to ongoing stress tests and improvements. The content settings were inspired by MPA guidelines but are not endorsed or rated by the MPA, acknowledging differences between social media and movies.
Expansion of 13+ Content Settings
- The 13+ content setting is now global across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.
- It hides inappropriate content in Feed, Reels, and limits interactions with inappropriate Profiles, Pages, Groups, and Events.
- On Messenger, it restricts viewing links to inappropriate content and chatting with accounts sharing such content.
- Limited Content setting to roll out on Facebook and Messenger later this year.
Parental Feedback and Content Ratings
- Hundreds of thousands of parents worldwide have rated over 15 million pieces of content.
- Recent surveys show fewer than 2% of recommended posts are considered inappropriate for teens.
New Measures to Balance Content Exposure
- Testing to limit teens from repeatedly seeing certain content types (e.g., nutrition, weightlifting, anxiety coping) to ensure varied and positive experiences.
External Assessment by Alice
- Alice performed adversarial stress-testing comparing Instagram Teen Accounts to competitors and movie ratings.
- Findings:
- 68% less mature content in default 13+ setting vs competitor.
- 96% less mature content in Limited Content setting.
- Mature content on Instagram was less intense.
- More frequent blocking of mature search terms.
- Functionalities like default settings and parental controls worked correctly.
Improvements and Policy Updates
- Enhanced detection of accounts sharing inappropriate content after Alice's findings.
- Updated policies to restrict new risky trends like "car surfing."
- Ongoing commitment to rigorous stress testing and system improvements.
Notes on Content Moderation
- Content settings were inspired by MPA’s public guidelines but are not officially endorsed or rated by the MPA.
- Social media content moderation differs from movie rating systems, so experiences may vary.
