Meta Expands Mandatory Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger Worldwide
Key Points
- Meta makes teen accounts mandatory for all Facebook and Messenger users worldwide.
- Younger teens (13‑15) must obtain parental permission to change safety settings.
- Parental tools include screen‑time monitoring and visibility into messaging contacts.
- AI is used to detect potential age misrepresentation in teen accounts.
- Instagram’s school partnership program now open to any U.S. middle or high school.
- The rollout occurs amid ongoing lawsuits and investigations into Meta’s child‑safety practices.
Meta is extending its mandatory teen account program to Facebook and Messenger on a global scale. The specialized accounts, first introduced on Instagram, now require younger teens aged 13 to 15 to obtain parental permission for safety‑related settings. Built‑in parental controls let caregivers monitor screen time, view contacts, and enforce stricter privacy rules. Meta also broadens its school partnership initiative, allowing U.S. middle and high schools to fast‑track bullying reports. The rollout occurs amid ongoing lawsuits and investigations into the company’s child‑safety record.
Global Rollout of Teen Accounts
Meta is moving to place all teenage users of Facebook and Messenger into dedicated "teen accounts" that incorporate enhanced safety features. After a year of offering the program on Instagram and an earlier rollout in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, the company now makes the accounts available to teens worldwide. The accounts are mandatory for all users in the designated age range, and Meta employs artificial intelligence to help verify ages and detect potential misrepresentation.
Parental Controls and Safety Features
For younger teens, specifically those aged 13 to 15, the new system requires parental permission before any safety‑related settings can be altered. Parents gain tools to supervise how their children interact with Meta’s apps, including the ability to monitor screen‑time usage and view the contacts their kids are messaging. The accounts also enforce more restrictive privacy and safety settings designed to limit exposure to unknown adults. Meta’s AI systems are tasked with spotting accounts that may be providing false age information, adding an additional layer of protection.
School Partnership Program Expansion
Alongside the teen‑account rollout, Meta is expanding its "school partnership program" on Instagram. The initiative allows U.S. middle schools and high schools to expedite reports of bullying and other problematic behavior. Previously piloted with a limited number of schools, the program now welcomes any U.S. school to join, and Meta reports receiving positive feedback from participating institutions.
Legal Context and Ongoing Scrutiny
Meta’s intensified focus on teen safety arrives as the company faces multiple lawsuits and investigations concerning its track record on child safety. By introducing mandatory teen accounts, stricter parental controls, and expanded school collaborations, Meta aims to address criticisms and close gaps identified by regulators and advocacy groups.