Instagram is all set to roll out parental control features in March
2022. This will allow parents and guardians to check how much time their wards
spend on the platform, set necessary time limits accordingly, and get informed
if the children report someone. These moves come in light of Instagram’s
decision to become a safer space, especially for teenage users.

Adam Mosseri, who heads the service, has stated that these developments
were in the pipeline for a long time. However, the announcement has been made
after a series of damaging events about the social network platform, which is
now under the Meta umbrella. Whistle-blower Frances Haugen’s internal documents
show Instagram being aware of its services being capable of making body image
issues
worse for female teenagers on the platform.

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Since Instagram is not just focused on parental controls, but actually
educating users, there are plans to roll out a hub for guardians to offer
tutorials and tips about their children’s social media use. More immediately,
Instagram is introducing a ‘Take a Break’ feature, which will be globally
available early in 2022. It is designed as an opt-in feature, where users will
be sent prompts to step away from the screen after they have been scrolling for
a stretch.

Other features include a change in tagging permissions, where teenagers
cannot be tagged or mentioned by default. A bulk delete feature is also in the
works to help users manage their digital footprints better.

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Mosseri also highlighted a couple of features that are in nascent stages
of development. Among them, it is interesting to note the platform’s decision
to lead people away from a topic they have been dwelling on for a long time. This
would prevent users from focusing on topics that might not be conducive for
their well-being. Similarly, Instagram is considering stricter settings to curb
what is recommended in the explore option. This move comes as a counter to
users being exposed to potentially sensitive or harmful content, as well as
accounts.