Meta brings ‘teen accounts’ to Facebook and Messenger

Engadget - Apr 8th, 2025
Open on Engadget

Meta is expanding its teen safety features by introducing 'teen accounts' to Facebook and Messenger, following their implementation on Instagram last fall. These accounts, aimed at users aged 13 to 15, automatically include parental control features and limit interactions with unknown contacts. Parents can approve changes to privacy settings, monitor screen time, and view their child's friends list. Additionally, new safety measures on Instagram require teens under 16 to obtain parental permission for live broadcasts and prevent them from disabling nudity protection without approval.

This move comes as Meta faces significant scrutiny over the impact of its platforms on younger users, particularly Instagram. The introduction of these measures highlights Meta's efforts to address safety concerns amidst ongoing legal challenges from dozens of states suing the company for alleged harms to teens. By implementing stricter controls and safety features, Meta aims to mitigate these concerns and improve the online experience for younger users while reassuring parents about their children's safety on its platforms.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded overview of Meta's introduction of new safety features for teen accounts on Facebook and Messenger, aligning closely with verified facts and official announcements. It effectively highlights the timeliness and public interest of the topic, addressing significant issues related to online safety and corporate responsibility. However, the article could benefit from greater transparency in sourcing specific data points and more balanced coverage by including critical perspectives. While it succeeds in engaging readers and provoking thought on a controversial topic, additional expert opinions and detailed explanations could enhance its impact and clarity. Overall, the story is informative and relevant, with minor areas for improvement in source transparency and balance.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate and aligns well with verified information from multiple sources. The claim that Meta is introducing 'teen accounts' on Facebook and Messenger, similar to those on Instagram, is supported by Meta's official announcements and corroborated by reputable news outlets. The details about the parental control features and restrictions on messaging are also confirmed by independent reports. However, the exact figure of 54 million teens using Instagram's teen accounts, while widely reported, could benefit from direct citation to Meta's data for utmost precision. The story accurately references the legal challenges Meta faces regarding its impact on teens, aligning with ongoing lawsuits reported in the media.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by mentioning both the implementation of new safety features and the ongoing scrutiny Meta faces. However, it leans slightly towards highlighting Meta's efforts in improving safety without equally discussing the criticisms or potential shortcomings of these measures. For instance, while it notes that Meta is closing gaps in its safety features, it does not explore the effectiveness of these measures or provide perspectives from critics or experts on social media safety. Including such viewpoints could provide a more nuanced understanding of the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, effectively communicating the main points about Meta's new features for teen accounts. The language is straightforward, and the structure logically flows from the introduction of the features to the broader context of legal scrutiny. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of the technical aspects of the features or the specific legal challenges Meta faces, which would help readers unfamiliar with the topic.

8
Source quality

The story is based on credible sources, including Meta's announcements and reports from established news organizations. The information about the introduction of teen accounts and the associated features is consistent with what has been reported by multiple reliable outlets. However, the article would benefit from direct quotes or references to Meta's official statements or data to enhance source transparency and credibility. The absence of direct attribution to specific reports or studies on the legal challenges Meta faces is a minor gap in source quality.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the new features being introduced by Meta but lacks transparency in sourcing specific data points, such as the number of teens using Instagram's teen accounts. It does not explain the methodology behind determining the effectiveness or impact of these features, nor does it disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the reader's understanding of the basis for the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/meta-adds-parental-supervision-tools-messenger-instagram
  2. https://www.parents.com/facebook-messenger-teen-accounts-11710782
  3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meta-launches-instagram-for-teens/
  4. https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-brings-teen-accounts-to-facebook-and-messenger-100042497.html
  5. https://usa.inquirer.net/143716/meta-moves-to-protect-teens-from-unwanted-messages-on-instagram-facebook