Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has officially launched Teen Accounts in Nigeria, aiming to create a safer space for young users online. This new feature, designed for teens under 16, introduces built-in protections and parental supervision tools tailored to support healthier digital habits.
Teen Accounts on Instagram come with a range of built-in privacy and safety features to protect younger users. New teen profiles are private by default, allowing only approved followers to view their posts. Direct messaging is also restricted, so teens can only receive messages from users they follow. To reduce exposure to inappropriate content, these accounts are automatically set to show less sensitive material in the Explore tab, Feed, and Reels. Additionally, only people the teen follows can tag or mention them. Instagram sends reminders to log off after 60 minutes of use to encourage healthy screen time habits. A built-in Sleep Mode further supports well-being by silencing notifications and sending automatic replies to messages between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Meta has also rolled out parental control features to help guardians actively support and guide their teen’s Instagram use. These tools allow parents to view a list of people their teen has interacted with recently—without accessing the actual message content. They can also set daily time limits for app usage and schedule specific downtime periods, such as during school hours or bedtime. Additionally, parents can see the topics their teens explore on the platform, which are limited to age-appropriate content, providing insight into their interests while respecting their privacy.
This rollout is part of a global initiative that started in September 2024. Over 54 million teens now use Teen Accounts, with 97% sticking to the default safety settings. In Nigeria, the launch aligns with national goals around digital well-being and child online protection. Barrister Emmanuel Edet from NITDA praised the move, calling it a win for safe and age-appropriate digital spaces.
Meta hosted an event in Nigeria to showcase the new tools, inviting parents, creators, and policy leaders to learn more.
Teen Accounts on Instagram offer stronger protections and smarter controls, which gives teens more safety and parents more support. It’s a big step toward safer social media experiences in Nigeria and beyond.
