KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Instagram is tightening safety protections for teen users in Malaysia, rolling out expanded content restrictions and stricter default settings aimed at reducing exposure to age-inappropriate material.
The update forms part of Instagram's revised teen accounts framework, which is being gradually implemented and will be fully rolled out in the coming months, its parent firm Meta said in a statement on Wednesday.
The updated framework will automatically place users under 18 into a default 13+ content setting, which the platform said is designed to mirror age-appropriate movie standards. Teens will not be able to opt out without parental approval.
Under the new safeguards, Instagram will further limit content involving strong language, risky stunts, and material that could encourage harmful behavior, including posts linked to drug paraphernalia. Existing protections against sexually suggestive and violent content will remain in place.
Meta said the rollout reflects efforts to create safer default experiences for teens while giving families greater control over online content exposure. ■
