Meta has introduced new safety measures for young users, expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger. This initiative, launched in September 2024, includes features such as content restrictions, time limits, and parental controls to ensure a safer online experience for teens. Adoption of Teen Accounts has been strong, with 97% of adolescents aged 13-15 retaining default settings, and 94% of parents finding the features beneficial.
The School Partnership Program, now available to all U.S. middle and high schools, enables educators to report bullying or unsafe content on Instagram within 48 hours. Reports are prioritized for review, and schools gain access to resources like anonymous reporting tools and training for staff. Educators who tested the program praised its prompt response to student safety concerns.
However, some critics, including child-safety advocates and researchers at Northeastern University, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of certain safety features. Studies found that only eight of 47 tested safety tools were fully effective, and internal documents suggest Meta was aware of these limitations. Critics argue that some protections, like manual comment-hiding, place the responsibility on teens rather than preventing harm proactively. Meta defends its measures as industry-leading, stating that Teen Accounts provide automatic safety protections and parental control tools, reducing exposure to harmful content and improving parental oversight.
Meta has also partnered with Childhelp to create an online safety curriculum for middle schoolers, focusing on recognizing online dangers and using reporting tools effectively. The program aims to teach one million students by the end of the year, with a peer-led version developed with LifeSmarts to encourage high schoolers to share the curriculum with younger peers. Despite these efforts, advocacy groups continue to call for stronger safeguards, highlighting the ongoing complexity of protecting teens in an increasingly digital world.