Meta introduces new tools to protect teen privacy

Meta has been under continual fire from regulators and governments for failing to protect teenagers on its Facebook and Instagram platforms; Mark Zuckerberg's business has now launched improvements to solve this issue.

The company is currently implementing more filters to the "People You May Know" function, limiting the display of friends' lists and introducing new tools for the diffusion of personal photographs.

The People You May Know may be a feature for reconnecting with long-lost acquaintances, but minors will not be displayed a "suspicious" account - one that was recently reported by a teen.

As studies continue, the possibility for these suspicious adults to send direct messages to adolescents on Instagram will be removed.

When adolescents begin messaging adults, they will be asked if they know the recipient in real life. Then, a Safety Notice appears with choices for preventing further interaction with this individual.

Who can view their friends list, individuals and pages they follow, posts they're tagged in, and who may comment on their posts are some of the privacy settings that will be pre-selected for kids who register for Facebook in the future. Identical settings are being implemented on Instagram as well.

Meta said that it is now collaborating with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to develop a platform for adolescents who are concerned that their private photos may be posted on social media without their permission. Facebook is collaborating with two networks to enable adolescents to de-stigmatize these photographs, get assistance, and take charge.

The features are currently being rolled out, but it will take time for them to reach all teenagers.

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