Company says rules similar to US ‘parental guidance’ film rating will be applied to teenagers’ accounts
Instagram is to adopt a version of the PG-13 cinema rating system to give parents stronger controls over their teenagers’ use of the social media platform.
Instagram, which is run by Meta, will start applying rules similar to the US “parental guidance” movie rating – first introduced 41 years ago – to all material on Instagram’s teen accounts. It means users aged under 18 will automatically be placed into the 13+ setting. They will be able to opt out only with their parents’ permission.
While the teen accounts already hide or prohibit the recommendation of sexually suggestive content, graphic or disturbing images, and adult content such as tobacco or alcohol, the new PG-13 version will tighten restrictions further.
Meta said it would hide or not recommend posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and content that might encourage “harmful” behaviours, such as posts showing marijuana paraphernalia. It will also block search terms, such as “alcohol” or “gore”, even if they are misspelled.
