Meta has rolled out new safety features for teenagers aged 13 to 17 using Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Under the strengthened Teen Accounts, teens' accounts are automatically set to private. This means approval is required before other users can see them or their posts if they are not followers. Protection is further extended as only followers can send messages, tag, or mention them. A Hidden Words feature automatically filters out offensive or inappropriate words, including some Filipino terms. There are also app usage limits. Minors will receive reminders when they reach 60 minutes of app use. Between 10 PM and 7 AM, notifications are muted, and auto-replies to messages encourage rest. According to Meta, these changes aim to make teens' online experience safer, drawing inspiration from movie rating systems for ages 13 and above. For ages 13 to 15, account settings cannot be changed without parental permission. Meanwhile, ages 16 to 17 can change some settings but must still notify their parents. Through the Family Center, parents can see which accounts their children are communicating with, screen time, and other online activity. Meta also warned that accounts pretending to be a different age may be suspended or disabled. The Council for the Welfare of Children emphasized the importance of safe social media use for youth and stated that access to digital platforms should not be completely banned. Meta added that strengthening safety tools is better than banning them outright, as teens may end up in more dangerous online spaces without guidance.
