Instagram Implements New Parental Alerts for Teens Searching Self-Harm Terms
Instagram rolls out a new feature to notify parents if their supervised teen accounts repeatedly search for suicide or self-harm related content, aiming to address mental health concerns.
Instagram is taking a proactive step to address the mental health of its younger users by rolling out a new parental alert system. The feature, which is part of the platform's supervised account program, will notify parents if their teenagers repeatedly search for terms associated with suicide or self-harm.
The move comes as Meta, Instagram's parent company, faces ongoing trials in the US over alleged harms to children stemming from the use of its platforms. Instagram says it already blocks such troubling content from appearing in teen accounts' search results, instead directing users to helplines and other resources.
Under the new system, parents enrolled in the supervision program will receive alerts if their child's search activity indicates a concerning pattern of seeking out this type of sensitive material. The goal is to give parents the opportunity to have important conversations and provide additional support to their teenagers during potentially difficult times.
Source: The Guardian
