Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, is dropping new features to protect the privacy and safety of its younger users. To encourage better sleep patterns, Instagram’s “Nighttime Nudge” feature encourages teens to log off after ten minutes of using Reels or Direct Messages late at night.
Meta has expanded last year’s Parental Supervision features to provide parents all over the world with information on their teens’ Messenger app usage. This includes monitoring usage time, getting contact updates and changing privacy settings without having access to message content.
Meta is testing age limitations and safety advisories on Instagram DMs in response to potential unwanted interactions, particularly for teenagers. Features include warnings for activity and restrictions on individuals over the age of 19 sending private messages to minors who do not follow them.
Other measures being tested include invite-only connections and limiting message request invites to text only until accepted.
Instagram’s “Take a Break” feature is one of the tools that Meta is introducing to promote positive online experiences. After 20 minutes, Facebook will send messages to teens that recommend breaks and let them set daily time limits. Instagram nudges will also advise teenagers to shut the app at night if they engaged with Reels.