This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
Published on December 10, 2019, Instagram has introduced new safety measures to safeguard its users, particularly children under the age of 13.
As part of its terms of use, Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old, aligning with the average age of consent for most social media platforms.
The new updates aim to prevent underage users from joining the platform, keep young people safe, and enable more secure experiences for all users.
According to Instagram, the information collected will be kept private and only accessible to the user when viewing their private account information.
Similar to Twitter, which has a 13-year age restriction, Instagram's new feature will automatically block accounts of users under 13 from accessing their profiles.
With the rise of cyberbullying, these safety measures are crucial in protecting children from online harassment and abuse.
As of 2018, there were nearly 4 billion internet users worldwide, with a 50% increase from 2 billion in 2015. By 2020, this number is expected to rise to 6 billion, accounting for 75% of the world's population.
Instagram boasts over 1 billion users globally, with 38% believed to be children under 13, according to Mobopinions.
Another report by Ofcom confirms that 28% of 10-year-olds, 46% of 11-year-olds, and 51% of 12-year-olds have access to social media and have a social media profile.
Instagram's announcement is a step towards creating a safer online community, and users can report suspected minor social media users through the help centre.
Additionally, users will have control over who they can send messages to and who can send them messages, enhancing account security and safety.
