As governmental pressure increases, Meta plans to filter more content for teenagers

Following pressure from global regulators to shield minors from objectionable content on its apps, Meta Platforms announced on Tuesday that it will block more content from teens on Facebook and Instagram.

According to a blog post by Meta, all teenagers will now be put in the most stringent content control settings on the applications, and Instagram will only allow a restricted number of new search queries.

According to Meta, the change would make it harder for teenagers using Instagram’s Search and Explore tools to find sensitive information about suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

The firm claimed that the actions would contribute to providing a more «age-appropriate» experience and that they will be implemented over the next few weeks.

Businesses have traditionally found children to be an attractive demographic, hoping to draw them in as customers while they may be more impressionable and establish brand loyalty.

Teenagers may help Meta attract more advertisers, who expect that kids would continue to purchase their products as they become older. Meta and TikTok have been in a competitive market for young users for the previous few years.