Instagram expands teen account protections with new parental notifications and AI technolo

April 27, 2025

Instagram is taking new steps to ensure more teenagers are enrolled in its protective Teen Accounts by working directly with parents and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to detect users’ true ages, the company announced on Monday.

Teen Accounts, first launched last year, are designed to provide a safer experience for young users by limiting who can contact them, restricting the content they view, and setting controls over the time they spend online. Teens under the age of 16 must obtain parental or guardian approval to adjust these settings. According to Instagram, over 54 million teens worldwide have been enrolled in Teen Accounts so far, with 97% of teens aged 13 to 15 choosing to remain under the protections. The Teen Account experience has also expanded to Facebook and Messenger.

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Instagram reported that feedback from both parents and teens has been largely positive. More than 90% of surveyed parents said the Teen Account protections were helpful in supporting their children’s online experiences. However, Instagram said it continues to listen to concerns about the challenges of navigating an increasingly complex digital world.

As part of its new initiatives, Instagram will now send notifications to parents with information about the importance of accurate age reporting online. The company partnered with experts, including pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, to provide conversation tips and encourage parents to verify their teen’s age on the platform.

In addition to engaging parents, Instagram announced that it is testing new AI technology in the United States to identify accounts suspected of belonging to teenagers, even if the users list an adult birthdate. Those accounts will be automatically placed into Teen Account settings. Instagram stated that while steps are being taken to ensure the technology’s accuracy, users who are mistakenly categorized will have the option to update their account settings.

Instagram noted that accurately determining users’ ages remains a challenge across the tech industry. The platform emphasized that parental approval and app store age verification remain among the most effective methods for confirming a user’s age.