Top News

Meta’s Instagram is beefing up teen safety with PG-13-inspired restrictions, automatically curbing content for users under 18 to mimic the Motion Picture Association (MPA)’s “Parents Strongly Warning” rating. Announced on October 14, 2025 via Meta’s blog, this change sets teen accounts by default to a “13+” setting, which excludes extreme violence, sexual nudity, drug scenes, extreme profanity, and risque stunts—while also allowing lighter elements, like the occasional bit of sexuality or limited profanity, like PG-13 movies.

PG-13, launched on July 1, 1984, following a backlash over violent PG films such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, warns parents about material unsuitable for children under 13, and combines PG and R ratings without excessive gore or persistent mature themes. META clarified that it is not officially connected to, but “guided by” the MPA guidelines; The trade group did not confirm any prior contact, welcomed child protection but distanced itself from claims of support.

The main update includes a strict “Limited Content” filter—parent-activated through Family Center—that blocks most posts and disables comments, which will expand to AI chat next year. Teens cannot follow or interact with accounts that post age-inappropriate content (e.g., pornographic poses); Existing followers limit visibility, DMs, and comments. Search barriers extend to “alcohol,” “bloodlust”—even misspelled ones—creating bans for self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide.

It is rolling out immediately in the US, UK, Australia and Canada, and will be fully implemented by the end of 2025. Global expansion, including Facebook integration and advanced age verification, is planned in 2026. Meta cited 95% parent approval in a US survey, saying, “Teens may occasionally be exposed to pornographic material… but we would like to keep such incidents rare.” Critics are questioning the enforcement of this law in light of past lapses, but the move addresses mental health concerns of teenagers.