Nighttime Usage Restriction Mode Applied to Teenagers Aged 14 to 18
Accounts Switched to Private... Parents Can Limit App Usage Time
Parents Can See Children's DM Conversation Partners... Message Content Not Viewable
Starting today, Instagram accounts of teenagers aged 14 to under 18 will have usage restrictions applied from 10 PM to 7 AM the next day. Their accounts will be switched to private, and parents will be able to limit their children's Instagram app usage time.
According to Meta Korea, which operates Instagram, the domestic rollout of the 'Teen Account' feature began sequentially from the morning of the 22nd. Accordingly, the Teen Account feature will be gradually applied to accounts of teenagers aged 14 to 18 in South Korea.
The Instagram Teen Account was introduced last year to limit excessive use and exposure to inappropriate content among teenagers. It first launched in English-speaking countries including the United States and Australia in September last year, with full implementation by the end of the year, and has been gradually introduced in the European Union (EU) region since the end of last year. Other regions, including South Korea, will begin sequential application from today and plan to complete the rollout by the first half of the year.
Once the Teen Account is applied, Instagram accounts created in South Korea for teenagers aged 14 to 18 will be switched to private. Newly created Teen Accounts will also have private as the default setting. Currently, Instagram accounts in South Korea can only be created by those aged 14 or older.
Measures to limit usage time will also be introduced. When Instagram usage time for Teen Accounts exceeds 60 minutes, a notification will prompt users to close the app, and usage restriction mode will be set from 10 PM to 7 AM the next day. In usage restriction mode, Instagram app notifications will be disabled, and automatic replies will be sent to incoming direct messages (DMs).
Restrictions will also apply to the people with whom DMs are exchanged. Teenagers will only be able to receive messages from people they follow or are already connected with, and viewing of sensitive content such as violent material will be restricted.
Parental supervision features will also be strengthened. Parents will be able to see their children's conversation partners, but to protect teenagers' privacy, parents will not be able to view the message contents. Parents will also be able to limit Instagram app usage time. Regarding account privacy settings, for those aged 14 to 16, switching from private to public requires parental consent. However, those aged 17 or older can change their account to public if they wish.
Meanwhile, Instagram plans to hold a separate briefing on the 11th of next month to explain detailed information regarding the introduction of Teen Accounts in South Korea. This day, the second Tuesday of February, is also 'Safer Internet Day.'
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