Tag: Instagram

Categories
Technology

Instagram rolls out stricter safety rules for teens

Instagram is introducing new safety features aimed at making the platform safer for teenagers.

With this update, all users under 18 will automatically be placed under stricter content settings. This means they will see only age-appropriate posts, similar to content rated suitable for teens.

The platform will now reduce exposure to posts that include violence, strong language, or adult themes. It will also limit interactions with accounts that regularly share such content.

Search results are being tightened as well. Teens won’t easily come across sensitive or harmful content, even if they try to search for it in different ways.

One of the biggest changes is that these safety settings cannot be turned off freely. Teens will need approval from parents to make any changes, giving families more say in how the app is used.

The update also introduces a “limited content” option, which applies even stricter filters for those who want extra protection.

Parent company Meta says the changes are based on feedback from parents and are part of a larger effort to improve safety for younger users.

The move comes at a time when social media platforms are facing growing pressure to better protect teenagers online, especially around issues like mental health and exposure to harmful content.

Also Read: World Bank raises India growth forecast to 6.6%

Categories
Technology

Instagram’s new safety alerts for teen mental health

Instagram is rolling out a new feature that will notify parents when their teenage children repeatedly search for terms linked to suicide or self-harm. The tool is designed to help families identify early warning signs and respond with support, especially as online searches for distressing topics can signal emotional difficulty.

The alert system works through Instagram’s existing parental supervision settings. When a teen’s search history shows multiple queries that include phrases associated with suicide or self-injury within a short time, a notification is sent to the parent or guardian. Alerts can be delivered through the app itself or via email, text message, or other contact methods the parent has chosen. Instagram says a single search won’t trigger an alert, there needs to be a pattern that suggests concern, not an isolated query.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, already blocks and redirects searches that explicitly promote self-harm or suicide to mental health support resources. The new notifications add a proactive layer: instead of only restricting harmful content, the system flags behaviour that might indicate a young user is struggling. Parents who receive an alert will also see links to expert-recommended guidance and resources to help start a conversation with their teen.

The initial rollout will take place in several English-speaking countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, with expansion to other markets expected later in 2026. Meta says it plans to extend alerts further, including in cases where teens interact with artificial intelligence tools on related topics.

Reaction from safety advocates is mixed. Supporters argue that the feature can help caregivers act early, potentially getting professional help before situations worsen. Others caution that notifications place heavy responsibility on parents and may not address deeper issues within social media platforms’ design that can expose teens to harmful content.

Also Read: Dell shares jump 17% on AI server growth forecast

Categories
Technology

Meta to test paid perks on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, is preparing to test premium subscription plans across its flagship apps. The company says the move will allow users to access extra tools and AI-powered features, while keeping the core services free for everyone.

The plan is part of Meta’s broader effort to diversify revenue beyond advertising. Rather than a single universal package, each app will likely offer distinct premium bundles designed around how users interact with the platform. Meta hasn’t shared details on pricing, timing, or the markets where the tests will begin.

On Instagram, early reports suggest that premium subscribers could see features such as advanced audience insights, private Story viewing, and unlimited follower lists. These tools aim to help users and creators manage content and engagement more effectively. Meta also plans to integrate AI-based creative tools, letting subscribers generate content, create videos, and manage interactions more efficiently. Some of these AI features, currently free, may move to a freemium model, where basic access remains free but advanced options require a subscription.

Details for Facebook and WhatsApp remain limited. Meta says premium offerings for these apps may focus on productivity, messaging, and enhanced content creation. For WhatsApp, this could appeal to professional users and community managers, though specific tools are not yet confirmed.

These new subscription plans are separate from Meta Verified, the company’s existing paid service for identity verification, account protection, and support for creators. Meta will leverage lessons from Meta Verified to shape its broader premium strategy.

Industry experts note that while other platforms, like Snapchat and X, have found success with paid subscriptions, Meta faces the challenge of convincing billions of users, long accustomed to free access, that premium features are worth paying for. The company plans to monitor user feedback closely, adjusting offerings as needed before a potential full rollout.

Also Read: PM Modi offers $500bn energy deal at IEW 2026

Categories
Leaders

Instagram enters AI era, Mosseri tells creators

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has signaled a major shift in how content will be valued on the platform, declaring the era of highly polished, curated posts effectively over. With AI-generated content becoming widespread, carefully staged visuals no longer hold the same appeal. Instead, Mosseri says, authenticity and originality are emerging as the most important qualities for creators.

In an end-of-year message shared on Instagram and Threads, Mosseri reflected on the challenges and opportunities posed by AI. “Flattering imagery is cheap to produce and boring to consume,” he noted, highlighting how users now often share raw, unpolished moments privately rather than posting them publicly. This trend is giving rise to a “raw aesthetic,” where candid, imperfect content feels more human and engaging.

Mosseri warned that AI’s ability to replicate creator styles at scale makes originality a crucial differentiator. Creators who focus on personal stories, real-life experiences, and their unique voice will be better positioned to connect with audiences than those chasing perfection.

AI also complicates trust on social media. Mosseri acknowledged that distinguishing real content from AI-generated media will grow increasingly difficult. He suggested exploring new ways to verify genuine human-created content, including marking photos at capture or enhancing ranking systems to reward originality.

For creators, the message is clear: the future of social media will favor genuine, relatable, human content over flawless visuals. Success in 2026 and beyond will depend less on aesthetic perfection and more on storytelling, honesty, and the ability to connect authentically with audiences in an AI-driven world.

Also Read: Adani Enterprises opens Rs 1,000 cr NCD issue

Categories
Technology

Instagram introduces “Your Algorithm”

Instagram has rolled out a new AI-powered feature, “Your Algorithm,” designed to give users greater control over the content they encounter in their Reels feed. The tool provides a clear view of the topics Instagram believes interest a user, allowing them to add new topics, remove ones they no longer follow, or adjust how prominently each appears.

The feature is accessible through the Reels tab, where users can tap the icon in the top-right corner to see a personalised summary of their interests. From there, they can update their preferences, ensuring that the Reels feed reflects their evolving tastes. Some users can even share their interest list via Instagram Stories, offering a glimpse into the topics shaping their feed.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, says the move aligns with its broader goal of enhancing transparency and user empowerment in algorithm-driven platforms. By giving users insight into why they see certain content and the ability to influence it, Instagram aims to foster a more engaging and relevant experience.

Currently available in the United States, the company plans to roll out the feature globally in English in the coming months. Over time, similar controls will be introduced across other areas of the app, including the Explore tab, extending user influence beyond Reels.

Industry experts suggest that such initiatives are critical in building trust and satisfaction among social media users, as people increasingly seek to shape their digital experiences rather than passively consume algorithm-curated content. Instagram’s approach signals a shift toward a more user-centric model, where AI assists rather than dictates what appears on a feed.

“Your Algorithm” represents a thoughtful blend of artificial intelligence and user agency, giving individuals both insight and control. By humanising the algorithm and putting decision-making power into the hands of users, Instagram is taking a meaningful step toward more transparent, personalised, and enjoyable digital engagement.

Also Read: TCS to buy US firm Coastal Cloud for $700 million