Instagram Launches Teen Accounts in Hong Kong: What Parents Need to Know
In an important development for social media safety, Instagram launched its specialized "Teen Accounts" in Hong Kong this month. This rollout is part of a broader expansion to the Asia-Pacific region. The feature has already been launched in other regions, including Australia, the United States, and Canada, since September 2024. This initiative aims to provide parents and guardians with greater oversight of their children's online activities.
What is a Teen Account?
Teen accounts are specifically designed for users under the age of 16. These accounts offer enhanced parental controls, allowing adults to monitor their child's interactions on the platform. Teens under 16 already using Instagram will need parental permission to change any of the new Teen Account settings.
Key Features
With these new accounts, parents will have the ability to:
Monitor Activity: Gain insights into how their child engages with content on Instagram.
Track Usage: View the amount of time their child spends on the app. Parents can set daily time limits or add scheduled breaks4.
Ensure Safety: Oversee the types of content that their child is exposed to. These protections limit who can contact them and the content they see. Parents can also see any reports that their teen has submitted to Instagram.
Instagram plans to transition existing teen users to these specialized accounts over the coming months.
How to Set Up Parental Controls:
Access Family Center: Navigate to Instagram's Family Center.
Create a Supervised Account: Both the teen and parent must agree to participate in the supervised account setup.
Monitor Time Spent: See how much time your teen spends on Instagram each day.
Set Time Limits: Set daily time limits or schedule breaks to manage your teen's usage.
Review Followers and Following: Monitor who your teen is following and who is following them.
Tips for Discussing Social Media with Your Teen
Establish Ground Rules: Discuss time limits, appropriate content, and the importance of not sharing personal details.
Open Communication: Encourage your children to talk about their online experiences, both positive and negative.
Digital Footprint: Explain that what they post online can remain there indefinitely.
Use Parental Control Tools: Utilize the parental control settings available on Instagram and other apps.
Importance of Age Verification
The introduction of teen accounts comes in response to ongoing challenges related to age verification on social media platforms. Instagram is actively exploring various methods, including ID uploads and facial recognition technology, to ensure that users are accurately representing their ages. This initiative represents a significant step towards creating a safer online environment for younger users.
A Safer Online Experience for Teens
This initiative represents a significant step towards creating a safer online environment for younger users. Parental vigilance remains a key component in ensuring a safe and positive digital experience for teenagers. By using the supervision tools, parents can approve and deny their teens’ requests to change settings or allow teens to manage their settings themselves. Soon, parents will also be able to change these settings directly to be more protective.
