Instagram just made a major change for teens—and parents are breathing easier

You glance at your teen’s phone and wonder what’s hiding in that endless scroll: a mix of curiosity and quiet worry that every parent knows. The internet moves faster than parents can keep up, and even the most careful families have moments that make their stomach drop.

That’s why Instagram’s latest update, its first-ever “PG-13” safety filter for users under 18, feels like a relief for many parents.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, says this is its “biggest safety update yet” for teen accounts. 

What’s new in Instagram’s safety update

Instagram’s latest “PG-13” update is designed to give parents something they’ve long been asking for—stronger, automatic guardrails for teen users. 

As Tara Hopkins, Meta’s global director of public policy, told Good Morning America, “We’re doing this to really speak the language of parents.” 

Here’s what’s changing:

• Stricter default settings for all users under 18. Teen accounts will now automatically filter out posts, Reels, and Explore content that include mature language, sexual innuendo, depictions of alcohol or drugs, and other risky behavior.
• Parental approval required to loosen settings. Teens can’t opt out of these restrictions without a parent’s OK. That’s a big shift from earlier versions of the app, which left it up to young users to manage their own safety controls.
• New “Limited Content” mode for families. Parents can now activate this optional setting to further narrow what their teens see—and even disable comments entirely.
• Smarter AI detection. Instagram’s automated tools are being retrained to identify harmful keywords and images more accurately, flagging searches for terms like “gore” or “drugs.”
• Gradual global rollout. The update is first launching in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, with worldwide availability expected by 2026.

Meta calls this its “biggest safety update yet” for teens—and for good reason. Unlike past changes that relied on young users to tweak their own preferences, these new safeguards activate automatically and keep parents in control from day one.

Related: Can this new Instagram tool really protect our kids from online bullying?

Digital safety isn’t just about algorithms

For parents, Instagram’s PG-13 update may offer some relief, but experts stress that no algorithm can replace guidance and connection.

Psychologist and author Dr. Jean Twenge, who studies adolescent development, notes on Wabash College’s Bachelor website that while filters and content ratings can limit exposure to potentially harmful material, real digital safety comes from ongoing conversations with children about what they see online and how it affects them.

She emphasises that parental involvement, curiosity, and open dialogue are far more effective than relying solely on technology. Practical steps for parents include checking Instagram’s new settings, exploring “Limited Content” mode, and starting conversations with teens about their online experiences—questions like, “What did you enjoy on Instagram today?” or “Did anything you saw online confuse or upset you?” help keep communication open without making teens feel policed.

As highlighted in a recent CBS News video, the platform is rolling out these changes first in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with a global rollout planned by 2026. While the PG-13 update may feel reassuring, experts emphasise it should be viewed as one tool in a broader toolkit of parental engagement, rather than a foolproof shield.

Related: Meta attempts to ‘prioritize teen safety’ by making Instagram accounts private—but is it enough?

What really keeps teens safe online

Technology can help guide our kids, but connection is what protects them. Instagram’s update gives families a helpful starting point, but it’s the ongoing conversations, shared moments, and curiosity about what our teens love (and what worries them) that truly build digital safety.

Source:

1. The Bachelor. 2023. “Dr. Jean Twenge on the risks of smartphones and social media.”