Meta has introduced new content policies for teens across its social platforms as international governmental pressure mounts to protect underaged users.

The tech conglomerate will hide an increasing amount of sensitive content across Instagram and Facebook from teenagers using the social platforms.

The new rules follows the finalisation of the Online Safety Act, as Ofcom is beginning to role out guidance for major tech companies to keep children safe online before they formally take on more regulatory powers.

Meta will automatically place teen users into the most restrictive content control setting across its two social media platforms – this will apply to new teen users and current teen users.

These restrictions will make it more difficult for sensitive content to appear on people’s feeds, even if they go looking for it on Search and Explore, or even if it is shared by someone they follow.

Content discussing self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders is the main target of these new restrictions.

While users can still share their own experiences involving these topics, Meta will not recommend this content to teen users. Further, if teen users search for these topics, they will hide related results and will instead direct these users to expert resources for help.

Meta says it already hides related content for self-harm and suicide, but now will expand this protection to include more terms.

Instagram and Facebook will also prompt teens to regularly check and update their privacy settings via their notifications.

Greater strides will be taken to ensure that only underaged users’ friends and followers can message them, and will hide age-inappropriate content from teenagers even if it is from friends and people they follow.

Recommended Reading

• Ofcom Hires Big Tech Staff to Help Enact New Regulatory Powers
• EU to Big Tech: Crack Down on Disinformation, Or We’ll Crack Down On You
• Ofcom: Tech Firms Must Clamp Down on Illegal Online Content

“Meta is evolving its policies around content that could be more sensitive for teens, which is an important step in making social media platforms spaces where teens can connect and be creative in age-appropriate ways,” Dr Rachel Rogers, associate professor of Applied Psychology at Northeastern University.

“These policies reflect current understandings and expert guidance regarding teen’s safety and well-being. As these changes unfold, they provide good opportunities for parents to talk with their teens about how to navigate difficult topics.”

The move comes as Ofcom is reportedly poaching workers from Big Tech corporations, including Meta, as it gears up to enforce the Online Safety Act to better protect children and teens online.

Further, Meta is facing allegations from the US and Europe that its platforms are addictive and have harmed youth mental health.

33 US states have sued Meta, claiming it misled the populous on how dangerous its platforms are for kids.

In a testimony to the US Senate, a former Meta employee claimed that the company was aware of the harms of teens, including harassment, and failed to take action against them.

In Europe, the EU Commission is seeking clarity on protections Meta offers children from illegal and harmful content.

With the UK already taking landmark action through the Online Safety Act, we may expect to see more efforts from Meta to quell these allegations and questions.