Instagram 'teen accounts' might not work but we have to try - consultant

Teenagers might find a way around new restricted Instagram accounts, but it's important the company is trying, a social media consultant says.

Meta announced on Wednesday designated Instagram accounts would move automatically to "Teen Accounts", which will be private accounts by default.

Users of such accounts can only be messaged and tagged by accounts they follow or are already connected to, while sensitive content settings will be dialled to the most restrictive available.

Users under 16 can change the default settings only with a parent's permission. Parents will also get a suite of settings to monitor who their children are engaging with and limit their use of the app.

Social media and digital communication consultant Anna Rawhiti-Connell told Morning Report the moves showed Meta was starting to feel the pressure of research and governments.

"Kids will find ways around things we know that, we don't know whether or not restrictive bans work but kids aren't meant to vape, smoke or drink and we regulate those things so I think it's worth trying.

"Some things will work and some things won't."

The critical component was parents talking to their children, she said.

"I think parents do need to be probably more engaged on what their kids are doing on social media."

The changes wouldn't resolve the "rabbit hole" nature created by social media algorithms, Rawhiti-Connell said.

"It's very opaque, people don't understand really how any of the social media company algorithms work and particularly in the short vertical video environment, they can be tripped really quickly."

Several studies have linked social media use to higher levels of depression, anxiety and learning disabilities, particularly in young users.

Meta said it will place the identified users into teen accounts within 60 days in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, and in the European Union later this year. Teens around the world will start to get teen accounts in January.

Australia is considering setting a minimum legal age for children to use all social media.

- Reuters/RNZ