The move marks a significant step in Meta's ongoing efforts to create safer and more age-appropriate digital experiences for teenagers. The company said the updated content controls, first introduced in select markets in October last year, will now be rolled out more broadly to help limit young users' exposure to potentially harmful or unsuitable content.
At the heart of the update is Meta's strengthened content filtering system for teen accounts. According to the company, users under the designated age threshold will automatically be placed under the "13+ Content Settings" framework, which is designed to reduce the visibility of content considered inappropriate for younger audiences.
Meta also revealed plans to introduce an even stricter option called "Limited Content" on Facebook and Messenger later this year. The setting is expected to provide additional safeguards by further restricting the types of content teens can encounter while using the platforms.
The announcement comes at a time when social media companies are facing intense scrutiny over their role in youth mental health, online safety and digital addiction. Governments and regulators in both the United States and Europe have increasingly pushed for stronger protections for children and teenagers using social networking services.
Earlier this year, Meta acknowledged the potential financial and legal risks associated with youth safety concerns. In a warning to investors released in April, the company said regulatory actions and legal challenges related to children's use of social media in the United States and European Union could have a significant impact on its operations and financial performance.
The issue gained further attention following a closely watched court case in Los Angeles. On March 25, a jury found Meta and Google negligent for creating social media platforms that were deemed harmful to young users. The jury awarded a combined $6 million in damages to a 20-year-old woman who argued that she developed a social media addiction during childhood.
Beyond content restrictions, Meta is also testing a new Instagram feature aimed at promoting healthier content consumption habits among teenagers. The tool is designed to prevent users from being repeatedly exposed to large volumes of similar content and instead encourage a more varied and balanced experience.
The company said the feature will address concerns about recommendation algorithms repeatedly showing teens content focused on a single topic, which can sometimes contribute to unhealthy viewing patterns.
"We recognize that some content — like posts about nutrition, weightlifting, or how to cope with anxiety — can be helpful, but it should be balanced with other types of content rather than shown repeatedly," Meta said.
The update reflects a broader industry trend as major technology companies attempt to respond to growing concerns about the psychological effects of social media on younger users. By expanding parental controls, strengthening content filters and refining recommendation systems, Meta hopes to reassure regulators and families that it is taking a more proactive approach to teen safety.
As debates over children's online wellbeing continue worldwide, the effectiveness of these new safeguards will likely remain under close watch from policymakers, child safety advocates and parents alike.