Teenagers using Instagram will now only see content that abides by a PG-13 cinema rating, according to Meta.
PG-13 films, similar to the UK’s 12A, are generally allowed to have some swear words, mild violence and partial nudity – although Meta said it would attempt to hide suggestive content and strong language “as much as possible”.
Earlier this year, new UK online safety rules were introduced that make it a legal requirement to age-restrict adult content online, but Meta says these age ratings go further.
“In addition to our longstanding policies – which already hide or prohibit the recommendation of sexually suggestive content, graphic or disturbing images, and adult content like tobacco or alcohol sales from teens, our updated policies will now go even further,” said the company in its announcement.
“This includes hiding or not recommending posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and additional content that could encourage potentially harmful behaviors, such as posts showing marijuana paraphernalia.”
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Chats between teenagers and Meta AI will also be restricted to a PG-13 rating.
In August, Reuters reported that an internal Meta document permitted children to engage in “romantic or sensual” AI chats, including on an Instagram chatbot.
Meta spokesman Andy Stone said the company was in the process of revising the document and that such conversations with children never should have been allowed.
Although teen accounts require a user…
