Instagram to Notify Parents if Teens Search for Suicide-Related Content

Instagram will introduce a new feature that automatically notifies parents if their children search for content related to suicide or self-harm, Reuters reports.

Under the new system, parents will receive an alert if a teenager repeatedly searches for potentially harmful content. The feature will only be available to users who have activated parental supervision through the “Family Center” section.

Teenagers under the age of 16 will not be able to change key safety settings on their accounts without parental permission. Parents will also have the ability to monitor and limit the amount of time their children spend on the platform.

The feature will initially be tested in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. It may later be expanded to other countries.

In recent months, many countries have intensified discussions about restricting teenagers’ use of social media. Australia has officially banned social media use for children under 16, while the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, and Slovenia are considering similar measures.

In Kazakhstan, the issue of regulating teenagers’ safety on social media platforms is also under active discussion.