• Meta introduces expanded safety measures for teens on Facebook and Messenger.
• Teen Accounts for users under 18 now include restrictions on livestreams and nudity.
• Parental consent is required for teens under 16 to access certain features.

Meta Platforms Inc. has announced significant updates to its Teen Accounts program, initially launched for Instagram, to include the social networking platforms Facebook and Messenger. These changes aim to bolster the safety and online experience for users aged 13 to 15, particularly concerning contact restrictions and content exposure. As part of these provisions, users under the age of 16 are now barred from live-streaming or disabling nudity filters in direct messaging without parental approval. This policy aims to protect vulnerable teenagers from potential online harms, including exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying. The rollout is set to begin in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia, before expanding to other regions later on, according to BBC.

Following the successful introduction of the Teen Accounts on Instagram in September, where it reported that 54 million accounts were activated, Meta is extending similar restrictions to its Facebook and Messenger platforms. These protections include automatic default settings that limit who can contact teens, prevent unsolicited messages from strangers, and shield users from encountering sensitive content. As reported by CBS News, instances of indeterminate data practices have raised concerns, compelling Meta to act proactively in response to ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers and child safety advocates.

Further solidifying its commitment to teen safety, Meta's updated Teen Account policies mean that over 97% of teenagers aged 13 to 15 have kept the safety features intact since their implementation. New safety layers include reminders for teens to take breaks from social media after prolonged use and a dedicated sleep mode that disables notifications during nighttime hours. India Times addressed how this aligns with existing legislative movements like the Kids Online Safety Act, which calls for accountablity among social platforms to better safeguard children online.

Meta acknowledges that under the present dynamics, approximately 22% of minors may not accurately disclose their age on social media platforms. Hence, they are implementing new identity verification methods, including artificial intelligence tools, to tackle misrepresentation of users' ages effectively.

For more detailed information regarding Meta’s strategy towards child and teen online engagements, you can explore the full article on The Hill.