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Meta has opened a new global chapter for teen safety by expanding its Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger users worldwide, following a limited introduction in select countries last year. Originally sparked by intense scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers, these specially tailored accounts embed layers of protection for younger users—now reaching teens everywhere, not just on Instagram.
Global Expansion with Protective Design
From Thursday, new and existing teen users on Facebook and Messenger will be placed into a digital environment engineered to restrict sketchy content and stop unwelcome contacts in their tracks. Messaging is strictly gated: teens only receive messages from people they already know or have followed, and only friends get to interact with their stories, tags, comments, and mentions.
Parental Controls And User Reminders
Parents are woven tightly into the framework: anyone under 16 needs parental approval to alter account safeguards. For daily well-being, platforms nudge teens to log off after an hour and automatically activate 'Quiet mode' overnight, creating digital breathing room.
Addressing Ongoing Safety Concerns
The update rolls out amid persistent criticism: whistleblower-backed research flagged ongoing risks, showing teens continue to encounter content on self-harm and demeaning acts, even with these new guardrails in place. Meta, however, defends its progress, stating that harmful content exposure for teens is dropping as its policies evolve.
School Partnership Program Takes Off
In a parallel move, Meta is officially launching the School Partnership Program in the U.S., giving educators a direct hotline to report bullying and other threats for faster response on Instagram. Schools that join get special banners and prioritized handling of safety reports, closing the feedback loop between families, schools, and the platform.
Broader Context
Meta’s latest rollout signals both a technological and policy response to sustained public and governmental pressure on youth mental health and social networks. With U.S. states imposing new age-related social media restrictions, the company is positioning itself ahead of regulatory curves by expanding both technical barriers and community partnerships.