In a significant policy update, Meta has announced that Instagram will adopt a version of the PG-13 cinema rating to manage the content seen by its teenage users. The move aims to create a more age-appropriate experience and give parents a familiar framework for understanding the platform’s safety settings.
Under this new initiative, every Instagram user under the age of 18 will be defaulted into a more restrictive setting. This “13+” environment is designed to be the baseline experience for teens. While they can request to change this setting, the final decision will rest with their parents, who must grant permission for the change.
The platform is expanding its definition of sensitive content. The PG-13 filter will hide or deprioritize posts containing profanity, dangerous stunts, and content related to harmful behaviors, such as showing marijuana paraphernalia. The update also includes a block on certain search terms, preventing teens from easily finding content related to topics like alcohol or gore.
This development follows sharp criticism from a report co-authored by a former Meta employee, which concluded that Instagram was not a safe environment for kids. While Meta disagreed with the report’s conclusions, the implementation of this PG-13 system is a clear step towards addressing public and regulatory concerns about teen well-being online.
The rollout will be staggered, beginning in the US, UK, and other allied nations before expanding globally. Despite the announcement, safety groups like the Molly Rose Foundation express skepticism, emphasizing that Meta has a history of making grand announcements that don’t result in tangible safety improvements and calling for independent verification.