The new feature, which is inspired by the 13+ content classification criteria of films, will by default show teenagers content similar to what they would see in an age-appropriate film: for those under 18, therefore, this setting will be activated automatically and they will not be able to deactivate it unless they have their parents' consent. Similar to films for audiences 13 years and older, where sensitive content or more explicit language may appear sporadically, teenagers may also come into contact with such material on Instagram, but Meta's commitment remains to progressively reduce the frequency of such incidents while recognising that no system can guarantee absolute protection.
Alongside the already operational policies aimed at filtering or excluding sexually explicit content, violent or disturbing images and material intended for adult audiences such as the promotion of tobacco and alcohol, the new guidelines further raise the level of protection and, in particular, limit the dissemination and recommendation of content with particularly explicit language, certain types of challenges or risky behaviour and, in general, material that may encourage potentially harmful conduct, including substance use.
In short, people under 18 will no longer be able to follow or interact with accounts that publish unsuitable content or be contacted by them, or that are potentially unsuitable already from their name or biography. Search will also be further filtered, including not only terms on suicide, self-harm or eating disorders but also those related to alcohol and violence, intercepting any typing or spelling errors. In addition, content not in line with the guidelines will be excluded from recommendations, feeds, stories, comments and posts, and artificial intelligence-based features have also been updated to ensure appropriate responses for a 13+ audience.
