Instagram Introduces New Age Restrictions for Teen Accounts
Instagram has announced a significant update aimed at enhancing the safety of teen users by age-gating accounts with adult content. The platform will also limit content recommendations that include strong language or risky stunts, reports 24brussels.
As of October 14, 2025, the new measures will restrict teens to content akin to what is permissible in PG-13 movies. Posts containing nudity, sexual content, or suggestive poses will remain hidden from teenage accounts, but the app will now also reduce exposure to content featuring strong swearing or hazardous challenges.
In a statement, Instagram indicated, “Just like you might see some suggestive content or hear some strong language in a PG-13 movie, teens may occasionally see something like that on Instagram — but we’re going to keep doing all we can to keep those instances as rare as possible.”
This policy builds on changes implemented last year that categorized all users under 18 into teen accounts, applying more stringent controls adopted for users under 16. Default settings for these accounts maintain privacy and include safety features, such as muted notifications from 10 PM to 7 AM and restrictions on messages from unknown users.
The updated restrictions will prevent access to accounts that repeatedly showcase 18+ content and will flag profiles with usernames or links deemed inappropriate for younger users, such as those directing to adult sites or alcohol retailers. These adjustments aim to enhance parental oversight on the kind of content accessible to teenagers.
Additionally, teens who follow adult accounts will lose the ability to view or engage with that content, while creators flagged as 18+ will be notified and offered options to address the issue, such as removing problematic posts. Instagram will also protect teens from search results related to sensitive topics like alcohol or graphic content.
The changes reflect Meta’s intention to simplify parental monitoring over children’s interactions on Instagram. Liz Arcamona, Meta’s director of public policy, remarked, “By and large, many of our policies were already generally in line with or actually went further than a PG-13 standard. And where they go further today, they will continue to do so going forward.”
Additionally, Instagram will roll out a stricter “Limited Content” option for parents, enabling them to filter even more content that may be borderline PG-13. This option will ensure that teens do not see or engage with such content, while introducing tighter controls on discussions involving artificial intelligence starting next year. Conversely, parents can opt for a “More Content” setting to broaden the spectrum of visible posts.
Instagram aims to engage parents actively by offering avenues for feedback through regular surveys regarding content viewed by teens. The update is now in effect in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with plans for a global rollout by the end of the year. Meta also plans to extend similar content safety measures for teens using Facebook.
