Summary
A study claims that many of Instagram's safety tools for protecting teens from harmful content, including suicide and self-harm posts, are not working well. Researchers found that only a small number of these tools are effective, with many either failing or no longer available. Meta, which owns Instagram, disputes the findings and says its protections have reduced harmful content seen by teens.
Key Facts
- Instagram's tools to protect teenagers from harmful posts are reportedly not working well.
- Researchers found that 30 out of 47 safety tools are either ineffective or no longer exist.
- Only 8 tools were found to be working as intended.
- The study showed teens could still see content against Instagram's rules, like suicide-related posts.
- The platform was criticized for encouraging risky behaviors by showing suggestive sexual comments.
- The study was conducted by Cybersecurity for Democracy and child safety groups.
- Meta claims its tools help reduce harmful content for teens and offers parental controls.
- Instagram's teen accounts were introduced in 2024, with expansions to Facebook and Messenger in 2025.
