Meta Platforms is launching its “Teen Accounts” feature for Facebook and Messenger on Tuesday amidst ongoing criticism regarding its efforts to safeguard young users from online threats.
The company has stated that these new privacy and parental control features, which were first implemented on Instagram last year, aim to alleviate concerns over how teenagers engage with social media.
Significance of the Move
The introduction of enhanced safety features for teens coincides with legislative efforts by some lawmakers, who are pushing for regulations such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to better protect children from the risks associated with social media.
Meta, along with ByteDance’s TikTok and Google’s YouTube, currently faces numerous lawsuits initiated by children and school districts regarding the addictive qualities of their platforms.
This year, 33 states across the U.S., including major ones like California and New York, filed lawsuits against Meta, alleging that the company misled the public regarding the hazards posed by its platforms.
Background
According to Meta, users aged under 16 will need parental consent to access live streaming capabilities and will not be able to disable a feature that automatically blurs images that may contain nudity in direct messages.
“We will begin implementing these updates over the next few months,” the company stated.
In July 2024, the U.S. Senate moved forward with two online safety bills — KOSA and The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act — which would mandate that social media companies take accountability for the impact their platforms have on minors.
While the Republican-led House did not bring KOSA to a vote last year, recent discussions during a committee hearing indicated intentions to advance new legislation aimed at protecting children online.
Major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, permit registrations for users aged 13 and older.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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