Meta Expands Teen Safety Tools Across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger with New Built-In Restrictions

Meta has rolled out new updates aimed at strengthening safety for teens across its platforms—and it’s not just about Instagram anymore. Originally launched with the introduction of Instagram Teen Accounts, these safety-focused tools are now expanding to Facebook and Messenger as part of Meta’s ongoing effort to build a safer digital space for young users.

Let’s break down what’s new and why these changes are a big deal for families.

Graphic saying 'Teen Accounts Built-in protections' | Threadsaver.in

Built-In Teen Protections on Instagram Get Smarter

When Instagram first introduced Teen Accounts, the goal was simple: give teens an age-appropriate space while giving parents peace of mind. These accounts come with default restrictions, like:

Limiting who can message teens
Automatically setting profiles to private
Restricting sensitive content
Requiring parental approval for settings changes if the user is under 16

Now, Meta is tightening the rules even more:

Teens under 16 won’t be able to go Live on Instagram unless a parent gives them permission.
Meta will also require parental consent to turn off a feature that blurs suspected nude images in DMs.

These updates aim to limit the potential for unwanted or unsafe interactions—especially from strangers or with inappropriate content.

Teen Account built-in protections | Threadsaver.in

Teen Accounts Now Coming to Facebook and Messenger

The protections that started on Instagram are now making their way to Facebook and Messenger. These new Teen Accounts will include similar default safety settings:

Automatically limiting who can message teens
Restricting access to age-inappropriate content
Setting usage limits and activity reminders

The rollout starts with teens in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, with more countries to follow. It’s a move that reflects Meta’s intention to create a uniform safety experience across all its platforms.

Messenger Teen Account creation process | Threadsaver.in

Parents Are On Board

Meta didn’t make these changes in a vacuum. The company worked directly with parents and researchers to design these tools around their concerns. And the results? According to a recent Ipsos survey:

94% of U.S. parents said Teen Accounts are helpful.
85% felt it made guiding their teen’s online experience easier.
Over 90% supported features like private accounts by default and limited messaging.

As of April 2025, there are over 54 million active Teen Accounts globally, with that number continuing to grow.

Notification about a parent who now has supervision privileges | Threadsaver.in

Why It Matters

For anyone raising or working with teens, these updates represent a big step forward. They’re designed to help young users enjoy social media in a safer, more controlled environment—and give parents greater oversight without being intrusive.

By putting parental tools and built-in protections front and center, Meta is moving toward a model that many families have been asking for: a digital space that balances autonomy and safety.

Takeaways

Teens under 16 will need parental permission to go Live on Instagram.
Parental approval is also required to disable DM image-blurring protections.
Teen Accounts are expanding to Facebook and Messenger with similar safety features.
97% of teens kept default settings; 94% of U.S. parents found Teen Accounts helpful.