Messenger has announced new parental supervision tools that allow parents and guardians to monitor and support their teens on the platform.
These tools, available in the US, UK, and Canada, provide insights into how teens use Messenger without allowing parents to read their messages. Parents can view their teen’s contact list, privacy settings, and safety settings, as well as receive notifications if their teen reports someone or changes their messaging settings. They can also monitor who can message their teen and who can see their teen’s Messenger stories.
Meta said in an announcement that in addition to these parental supervision tools, Instagram, which is owned by Meta, is implementing stricter protections for teens using its direct messaging feature. Safety Notices are already displayed when adults with potentially suspicious behavior message teens, and people over 19 years old are restricted from sending private messages to teens who don’t follow them. Now, before messaging someone who doesn’t follow them, users must send an invite to request permission to connect. These invites are limited to text-only, preventing the sharing of photos, videos, voice messages, or making calls until the recipient accepts the invitation to chat.
These measures aim to safeguard teens from unwanted interactions and prioritize their online safety. The tools on Messenger and the stricter protections on Instagram DMs reflect Meta’s commitment to providing a safer environment for young users on its platforms. The company plans to expand these features to more countries worldwide in the coming months, highlighting its dedication to protecting teens globally.
