Instagram announced some features in their continued effort to build a safer experience for the youngest members of the Instagram community.
Safety features
- Security Checkup
- Hidden likes
- Filter abusive messages
- Understanding users real age
- Restricting DMs
- Teen account privacy
- Other privacy and security features
Security checkup
As of June 2021, Instaram annouched the Securtiy Checkup feature which aims to proctect users from malicious activities on the platform. The Securtiy Checkup is created as a guide for those whose accounts may have been hacked, and they will receive steps that will instruct them on protecting their accounts. It will also include chcking login activing, reviewing profile and confirming accounts that share login details.
Hidden likes
Rolled out across Instagram as well as Facebook, you can choose to hide like counts on others’ posts as well as on your own.
Filter abusive messages
Understanding users’ real age
Whilst Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 to use Instagram and ask new users to provide their age when they sign up for an account, they know that young people can lie about their date of birth.
Verifying people’s age online is complex, but to address this challenge Instagram is developing new artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to help keep teens safer — and apply new age-appropriate features.
Restricting DMs
To protect teens from unwanted contact from adults, the latest feature that prevents adults from sending messages to people under 18 who don’t follow them.
Teen account privacy
When someone under 18 signs up for an Instagram account that gives them the option to choose between a public or private account. Instagram will be encouraging young people to opt for a private account by equipping them with information on what the different settings mean.
Teens can still opt for a public account if they choose to do so after learning more about the options. If the teen doesn’t choose ‘private’ when signing up, Instagram will now send them a notification later on highlighting the benefits of a private account and reminding them to check their settings.
Instagram also says they are assessing additional measures to protect young people on the platform in the next coming months.
Instagram advises they are working we a number of experts and NGOs to continue to develop their policies and features.
