Meta to Restrict More Content Targeting Teens on Instagram, Facebook

January 11, 2024

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Meta is making changes to what teens can see when using Instagram and Facebook. The company announced on Tuesday it will start hiding certain types of content on both apps and restrict specific search terms on Instagram. These changes are for all teens under 18.

“Now, when people search for terms related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, we’ll start hiding these related results and will direct them to expert resources for help,” Meta stated in a blog post.

The new policies come as Meta faces dozens of state lawsuits, potential federal legislation, and increasing pressure from child safety advocacy groups to make its social networks safer for children.

Meta claims it removes or limits recommendations of certain types of posts for all users, such as nudity and drugs for sale. According to the company, teens will no longer be able to access much of this content, even if it is shared by a friend or someone they follow.

According to Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University and author of the book Generations, while this is a step in the right direction, it remains difficult to police who is actually a teen on Facebook and Instagram.

“You do not need parental permission to sign up for a social media account,” Twenge said. “You check a box saying that you’re 13, or you choose a different birth year and, boom, you’re on.”

Twenge, who has advised lawmakers in their lawsuits against Meta, claims that social media has led to an increase in depression, negative body image, and bullying among teenagers. According to her, studies show that teens who use social media heavily are twice as likely to be depressed or harm themselves as those who use it lightly.

“There’s clearly a relationship with spending too much time on social media and then these negative outcomes,” Twenge said.

A Meta spokeswoman acknowledged people can misrepresent their ages on Facebook and Instagram. She told NPR that the company is investing in age verification tools and technology that can better detect when users lie about their age.

Last May, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a warning about the risks that social media has on kids. He said the technology was helping fuel a national youth mental health crisis.