The news comes after much criticism of Meta, the company responsible for Instagram, about the impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers.
With these changes, parents will have a better say in what appears in their teens’ feed and “Explore” tab.
Understand how these new features work and how they can help protect children and teens.
Why did Instagram make these changes?
In recent years, Instagram has been accused of failing to protect young people chinese overseas america database who use its platforms. Studies have shown that Instagram can harm the self-esteem of teenagers, especially girls. This is because the network's algorithm sometimes recommends content that can be harmful, such as extreme diets or unrealistic beauty standards.
This criticism has come from parents, experts and even governments. Now, Instagram wants to show that it cares about young people's mental health and is willing to change.
The new tools were created to give parents more control over what their children consume online. This way, they can avoid bad content and encourage access to more educational and healthy information.
How does algorithm reset work?
One of the new features allows parents to “reset” Instagram’s algorithm, meaning they can erase their recommendation history from the platform.
With just a few clicks, you can start from scratch. The algorithm will learn again based on the content that the child or teenager interacts with from that moment on.
Additionally, parents will be able to see the accounts their child follows. If they find a profile inappropriate, they can delete it or suggest that the child stop following it. This helps prevent inappropriate content from appearing in the feed.
Another advantage is that this feature also works for the “Explore” tab. This area of the social network usually shows random suggestions, and parents can now ensure that these suggestions are more controlled.
Reinforcement of desired content
Another new feature is content enhancement. Parents will be able to choose topics they want to appear more on their children’s Instagram.
For example, if parents prefer their child to see educational content, such as study tips, sports or arts, they can include these preferences. This way, the algorithm will prioritize these topics in the recommendations.
This feature helps make Instagram a more positive tool. Parents can encourage content that brings learning, inspiration, and important values.
What are the benefits of these changes?
The new tools bring benefits to both parents and teens:
Greater online safety : Parents can better filter what their children consume, avoiding dangerous or inappropriate content.
Greater personalization : By reinforcing themes, guardians can encourage young people to consume educational and positive content.
Peace of mind for parents : Knowing that Instagram has more control options can make parents more confident about their children's use of the social network.
Protecting mental health : Reducing access to harmful content helps teens maintain a healthier relationship with the internet.
With these changes, Instagram shows that it is listening to the concerns of parents and experts.