This week, Instagram announced one of the most significant updates to its Teen Accounts since they were first introduced. From now on, content settings for teens under 18 will be guided by PG-13 movie ratings by default. This means that what young people see on Instagram should broadly align with what’s considered suitable in a PG-13 film.
Alongside this change, Instagram is giving parents greater oversight, including the option of a stricter “Limited Content” setting, and new ways to provide feedback directly to the platform about content they feel shouldn’t be shown to teens.
The move to align content standards with a familiar and widely recognised rating system provides some clarity for families and it is reassuring for many parents to know that Instagram is taking proactive steps to block content that includes sexual or graphic imagery, strong language, or harmful behaviours. Understanding that parents will now have an additional say in shaping their teen’s online experience shows the importance of navigating social media as a family.
Updates to Support Conversations
While these updates are promising, it is vital to remember that technology alone cannot guarantee safety. No system is flawless, and there will always be instances where inappropriate content slips through the net. That’s why parental involvement, supervision, and most importantly, open and ongoing conversations with young people remain essential.
Platforms can play their part by setting restrictions, but young people benefit most when they know how to make safe choices, feel confident reporting concerns, and have trusted adults they can turn to if something online makes them uncomfortable.
We encourage parents and carers to use this update as a starting point for conversations with their children:
- Talk about the kinds of content they may come across online, even within a “PG-13” framework.
- Discuss how they feel about what they see and who they interact with on Instagram.
- Reassure them that if something goes wrong, they can always come to you or another trusted adult for support.
When Will These Updates Take Effect in the UK?
Instagram has confirmed that the new settings will be made available in the UK, alongside the US, Canada, and Australia. The changes will be gradually introduced and are expected to be fully in place for all UK Teen Accounts by the end of the year.
This update supports user safety on social media. To learn more about the importance of this, please visit the Online Safety & Social Media Topic Hub.
