Instagram's Now 'PG-13 Rated' For Teens – But What Does That Actually Mean?

Teenagers’ Instagram accounts are now ruled by a ‘PG-13’ moving rating system, in terms of the content they see. The setting is now the default for teen accounts, meaning anyone under 18 will be seeing PG-13 content – and they won’t be able to opt out without a parent’s permission. What’s more, parents who want even more control over what their kids are seeing can choose an even stricter setting.What does PG-13 actually mean, though?PG-13 is basically the US equivalent of the UK’s 12A rating.As part of the Online Safety Act, social media companies have a duty to protect children and stop them from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate content.Meta, which owns Instagram, already hides or prohibits the recommendation of sexually suggestive content, graphic or disturbing images, and adult content like tobacco or alcohol sales from teens – but the new policy takes things a step further.So, posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and additional content that could encourage potentially harmful behaviours, such as sex and drug-related posts, will be hidden or not recommended. If teens follow accounts which regularly share age-inappropriate content, or if their name or bio suggests the account is inappropriate, they’ll no longer be able to see or interact with their content, send them DMs, or see their comments under anyone’s posts. (And vice versa, such accounts won’t be able to converse with teens.)It’ll also be harder to find these accounts in Search, Meta said. Instagram already blocks search terms related to sensitive topics, like suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.But under the new changes, which have come into play today, it will also block teens’ ability to see content results for a wider range of mature search terms, such as ‘alcohol’ or ‘gore’ – including if terms are misspelled. If someone sends content that goes against guidelines directly with a teenager, via DM for instance, Instagram said they won’t be able to open it. Meta has also updated its AI experiences for teens, “meaning AIs should not give age-inappropriate responses that would feel out of place in a PG-13 movie”.Parents will also be able to share feedback or report content they think teens shouldn’t be able to see. In a press release, the social media giant noted that “teens may occasionally see something” they shouldn’t on Instagram, “but we’re going to keep doing all we can to keep those instances as rare as possible”.“We hope this update reassures parents that we’re working to show teens safe, age-appropriate content on Instagram by default, while also giving them more ways to shape their teen’s experience,” they added. Related...Jennifer Aniston Fears That Toxic Tabloid Culture Has Now Shifted To Social MediaTeens Are Making An Unlikely Friend Online – One They Can Share Their 'Darkest, Strangest' Thoughts WithI'm A Child Psychiatrist – Don't Make This 1 Mistake When Talking To Teens

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