Social media’s 80s moment: Instagram adds PG-13 content filters to teen accounts

Instagram has implemented new content filtering rules for teen accounts that mirror the PG-13 movie rating system introduced in 1984, restricting users aged 13-18 to age-appropriate content by default. The changes expand existing safety measures and include similar restrictions for Meta’s AI chatbot, addressing concerns about inappropriate interactions with minors.

What you should know: Teen accounts will automatically filter out content that wouldn’t be suitable for a PG-13 movie audience, including posts with strong language, risky stunts, and potentially harmful behavior.
• Instagram will stop suggesting posts featuring marijuana paraphernalia, while maintaining existing restrictions on sexually suggestive, graphically disturbing, and disordered eating content.
• Teens are banned from following or interacting with accounts that post age-inappropriate material, and inappropriate links sent via direct messages won’t function.
• The platform blocks teens from searching for restricted terms like “alcohol,” “gore,” suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

Search restrictions work both ways: Accounts posting mature content won’t appear in teen search results, and older users won’t be able to search for teen accounts.

Meta AI gets similar treatment: The company’s chatbot now follows PG-13 guidelines for teen users, blocking “inappropriate responses that would feel out of place in a PG-13 movie.”
• This update addresses earlier accusations that the chatbot engaged in sexual conversations with minors.
• Teen accounts are assigned automatically to users under 18 and come with restrictions that require parental consent to change.

Parents get additional control options: Instagram is rolling out a “Limited Content” setting for parents who want stricter restrictions than the default teen account settings.
• This feature adds stronger content filters and blocks teens from viewing, posting, or receiving comments.
• Parents can enable it through Settings > Teen Account Settings > What You See > Content Settings.
• Limited Content restrictions for AI chats will arrive next year.

New parental tools in testing: Instagram is inviting parents to try an age-gating tool that lets them mark content as suitable for those above 13, above 18, or no one at all.
• The platform is also testing a tool allowing parents to flag content they believe should be hidden from teens.

Global rollout timeline: These updates are available today in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with worldwide deployment expected by the end of the year.