Meta implements new safety measures to protect teens

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has introduced new safety measures aimed at protecting younger users.

Effective immediately, users under the age of 16 will no longer be able to broadcast live on Instagram without parental approval, according to Al-Rai media.

This is part of an expanded initiative to provide parents with more control over their children’s online activities and ensure safer social media experiences for teens.

The changes will first apply to users in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with a global rollout planned in the coming months.

In addition to the live broadcast restrictions, Meta will extend its existing teen protection measures to include Facebook and Messenger.

These measures include automatic private account settings, restrictions on direct messages from strangers, stronger filters for sensitive content like violent videos, and reminders to log out after 60 minutes of use.

Notifications will also be disabled during bedtime hours to encourage healthier usage patterns.