Meta to Strengthen Youth Protection on Instagram, Block Adult-Related Search Terms

Applying Film Rating Standards to Teen Accounts
Global Expansion Planned

Meta announced on October 14 (local time) that it will implement strengthened youth protection policies on Instagram.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is arriving on the 27th through the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Visiting Korea for the first time in 10 years, CEO Zuckerberg is expected to meet President Yoon Suk-yeol and hold discussions on AI semiconductor cooperation plans with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan during his 1-night, 2-day stay. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In a press release issued that day, Meta stated that it will manage youth accounts on Instagram in a manner similar to the 'PG-13' movie rating standard.

This means that teenage users will be exposed only to content similar to what is allowed in PG-13 rated movies. Content that could potentially encourage harmful behavior-such as posts with excessive profanity or those featuring marijuana-related products-will be hidden or not recommended.

Meta also announced that, in addition to previously blocked sensitive topics such as suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, it will now block search results for a broader range of adult material, including content related to alcohol or violence, so that teenagers cannot view them.

Additionally, the new policy includes preventing teenage users from following or exchanging messages with accounts that are found to regularly share content inappropriate for minors.

In the U.S. film rating system, 'PG-13' refers to content not recommended for viewers under the age of 13.

Meta explained that the newly introduced content restriction system is designed to allow parents to have more detailed control over their children's Instagram content.

Meta has begun applying the updated settings to youth accounts in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada starting today. The rollout will be completed by the end of the year, after which the policy will be expanded globally.

According to the Associated Press, civic groups remain skeptical about Meta's latest measures. Josh Golin, executive director of the nonprofit organization Fairplay, said, "I am very skeptical about how these measures will actually be implemented," adding, "Such announcements seem to be aimed at preventing unwanted regulatory legislation for Meta."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Meta deleted a Facebook page that provided information related to illegal immigrant crackdowns, following direct pressure from the Trump administration in the United States.

Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, stated, "Facebook deleted a large group page in Chicago that was being used to gather information about and target ICE agents, in response to a request from the Department of Justice."