Meta has rolled out new features designed to enhance parental controls for both Instagram and its Oculus VR headsets, allowing parents to manage their children’s online experiences more effectively.
For parents of teenagers, the challenge of overseeing social media usage has become increasingly daunting. Since the Wall Street Journal’s exposé and whistleblower revelations about Instagram’s impact on teen mental health, particularly among girls, many parents have been on high alert. Striking a balance between enabling social interaction and safeguarding children from harmful content has become a pressing concern.
In response to these worries and ongoing legal challenges, Meta is introducing several parental control tools. On Instagram, parents can now initiate supervision by sending invitations to their teens, whereas previously, only teens had the option to reach out to their parents. Once accepted, this functionality allows parents to monitor who their child follows and who follows them. Parents can also impose time limits on usage, ensuring that Instagram remains off-limits during late-night hours to promote healthier sleep habits.
Through Meta’s Family Center, parents will gain visibility into reports made by their teens, including the identity of the reported accounts and the nature of the reports. However, it’s worth noting that parents will only receive updates on concerning content if their teen actively reports it. Additionally, teens in select regions will begin receiving prompts to change topics if they engage with the same type of content repeatedly, with “take a break” reminders anticipated to roll out soon. However, a significant issue remains unaddressed: the lack of age verification for users under 13, allowing younger users to create accounts despite the platform’s age restrictions.
For Oculus Quest VR headset users, parents can now track app usage, block specific apps, receive notifications for app purchases, and set restrictions based on age ratings. They will also have insight into their teen’s friends on the Oculus platform and can monitor headset usage, including blocking access to PC content that may circumvent set restrictions.
While these parental control features provide additional oversight, no tool can guarantee complete awareness of the risks children face online. Open communication with teens remains the most effective way to understand their experiences and support them through any challenges, such as body image issues or exposure to troubling content.
For more information on online safety, check out this article on home insemination kit and insights on the topic from Intracervical Insemination. For an excellent resource on pregnancy, visit CDC’s information on infertility.
Search queries related to this topic:
- What are parental controls on Instagram?
- How to monitor teen social media use?
- Best practices for online safety for kids
- How to set limits on Instagram usage?
- Understanding Oculus parental controls
In summary, Meta’s new parental control features for Instagram and VR aim to help parents keep their children safe while navigating the complexities of social media and virtual reality. However, the most effective strategy remains fostering open communication with teens about their online experiences.