Meta has announced major improvements to safeguard the online experiences of teenagers on Facebook and Instagram in response to ongoing concerns and controversies surrounding the impact of its platforms on young users (via CNBC).
The social media giant is taking proactive steps to address self-harm, eating disorders, and other sensitive topics.
Content Control Filters for Teenagers
Meta is planning to make stricter content control settings for teenagers the default setting on both Facebook and Instagram.
By removing sensitive and age-inappropriate content from their feeds, Stories, and even search results, the company hopes to curate age-appropriate experiences for teens.
This move, detailed in a recent blog post, is part of Meta's larger commitment to making the internet a safer place for young users.
Teens will now have the most restrictive content control settings enabled by default on Facebook and Instagram, limiting their exposure to potentially harmful content.
Meta will also include notifications and prompts to encourage teens to update their privacy settings, adding an extra layer of security.
Restriction on Sensitive Content
The most recent Meta update broadens existing restrictions on topics like self-harm, eating disorders, and mental health issues. The company has been taking steps to limit the recommendation of such content on the Reels and Explore pages.
Thanks to recent changes, these topics will now be excluded from teens' feeds and Stories, even if the content is posted by accounts they follow.
When searching for sensitive topics, the decision reflects Meta's commitment to not only limit the visibility of potentially harmful content but also to direct users to relevant resources for assistance.
The move follows Meta's legal battles, including a 2022 lawsuit in which the company was accused of recommending anorexia and self-harm content to a teenage Instagram user.
Resolving Previous Disputes
Meta's announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny and criticism of its platforms' impact on young users. Following the release of the "Facebook Papers" in 2021, which revealed internal research highlighting the harmful effects of Instagram on teen girls, the company faced backlash.
In a November congressional hearing, a former engineering director and consultant emphasized the importance of Meta doing more to ensure the safety of children on its platforms.
In response to the criticism, CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated in 2021, "I've spent a lot of time reflecting on the kinds of experiences I want my kids and others to have online, and it's very important to me that everything we build is safe and good for kids."
Opinions of Experts
Adolescent development, psychology, and mental health experts backed Meta's decision to update its teen content policies.
Dr. Rachel Rodgers, Associate Professor at Northeastern University, stated that these changes are critical in creating spaces for teens to connect and be creative in age-appropriate ways on social media platforms.
ParentZone.org CEO Vicki Shotbolt emphasized that Meta's new policies give parents more peace of mind, especially when combined with the company's parental supervision tools.
According to the company, it has created over 30 tools and resources to assist teens and parents, and it consults with experts on a regular basis to improve platform safety.
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