Meta Tightens Teen Safety on Instagram: Under-16 Users in India Can’t Go Live Without Parental Approval
On April 11, 2025, Meta announced a significant update to its Teen Safety measures in India, focusing on under-16 Instagram users. Teens under 16 will no longer be allowed to go live on Instagram unless their parent or guardian explicitly approves it. Additionally, underage users cannot disable the filter that automatically blurs unwanted or inappropriate images in their direct messages without parental consent.
These measures were announced at Meta’s Teen Safety Forum in India, part of a broader initiative to promote digital well-being among Indian youth. The company is expanding its Teen Accounts feature, which was first introduced on Instagram last year, to Facebook and Messenger as well.
Tara Hopkins, Instagram’s Global Director of Public Policy, said:
“India is home to one of the world’s largest youth populations. We are committed to protecting teens by listening to their needs and their parents’ concerns.”
Twinkle Khanna, author and founder of Tweak India, who also participated in the discussion, added:
“The new Instagram Teen Accounts help teens navigate online life, while giving parents a way to prevent them from crashing into trouble.”
What Are Teen Accounts?
Teen Accounts are a specialized feature from Meta designed for young users. They offer enhanced privacy and parental oversight tools, such as:
- Protection from unwanted contacts
- Blurred images for sensitive content
- Screen time supervision
- Message and interaction controls
Meta revealed that over 54 million teens worldwide are already using Instagram Teen Accounts since their initial rollout in September 2024. In India, these accounts now come with real-time notifications, stronger message controls, and parental supervision features.
Why It Matters
Meta’s update comes amid increasing global pressure from lawmakers and safety advocates to protect young users from the dangers of social media. In the U.S., the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is pushing platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to do more for teen safety.
These safety features are not just for Instagram – they will soon be available on Facebook and Messenger, allowing parents to supervise their child’s entire social media experience across Meta apps.
This step is crucial, especially in a time when major tech companies face multiple lawsuits from parents and school districts for the addictive nature and psychological harm caused by social media.
Final Words
With over 97% of teens aged 13–15 globally opting to stay within protective settings, Meta’s initiative is being praised as a positive move. However, continuous oversight and engagement from both parents and platform providers are essential to build a safer digital environment for the next generation.
