Nudity filter and no live videos: Meta expands teen accounts
The teen accounts on Instagram are being expanded, and the restrictions will soon also be available on Facebook and Messenger.
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Young people who use Instagram automatically end up in a teen account. This means that they can only use the photo and video platform to a limited extent. Meta explains that the process of transferring young users has now been completed. Instead, the teen accounts will now also be moved to Facebook and Messenger. However, this will first happen in the USA, the UK, Australia and Canada.
Instagram has recently deactivated the live function for teenagers by default. This means that they cannot see or start live videos, but they can activate the function. The nude filter cannot be switched off on its own. This setting requires the consent of parental supervision, which is set up for teen accounts. The nudity filter automatically pixelates images that show too much naked skin. This happens in private messages – but is evaluated locally on the device. Anyone who is sent such a picture is also notified by Instagram that they should not feel compelled to reply to anyone. The sender is immediately told to reconsider their actions, including a reference to the risks associated with sending nude images.
Instagram has several methods to find out how old a person is. Of course, AI and behavioral monitoring also help. If someone tries to change their age, for example, age verification mechanisms come into play. This includes an ID check or video selfies, which in turn are analyzed. According to Meta, these tests have so far worked for 96% of young people who have tried to change their age to over 18.
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Teenagers and social networks
While teen accounts and parental controls have been around for a while, Meta has not yet introduced similar features on Facebook and Messenger. There are probably far fewer young people on both services. Nevertheless, this is now to be made up for.
Other social networks such as Tiktok and Snapchat also offer separate accounts for young people. Children are not yet allowed to use social media in Germany, at least not if they are under the age of 13. This is regulated by the Interstate Media Treaty. However, it does not explicitly specify the respective age, but rather the scope of functions and associated limitations. Data from young people is also subject to the GDPR and may not be processed and used in the same way as that of adults.
(emw)
