Instagram to Alert Parents If Teens Repeatedly Search for Self-Harm or Suicide Content

Highlights

• Instagram to alert parents if their teen repeatedly searches for self-harm or related content.
• The alerts will be delivered via email, text, WhatsApp, and in-app notifications, explaining the search activity.
• The feature launches next week in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with global expansion planned later this year.

Instagram to send parents notifications when teens repeatedly search self-harm or suicide content. (Image credit – Instagram)

Instagram has announced a new safety feature that will notify parents if their teenage child repeatedly searches for content related to self-harm or suicide on the platform. The move marks the latest addition to Instagram’s Teen Accounts protections and parental supervision tools.

The update comes shortly after Mark Zuckerberg testified in court over allegations that Instagram content contributed to instances of self-harm among children.

In a Newsroom post, the platform said, “We understand how sensitive these issues are, and how distressing it could be for a parent to receive an alert like this. The vast majority of teens do not try to search for suicide and self-harm content on Instagram, and when they do, our policy is to block these searches, instead directing them to resources and helplines that can offer support. These alerts are designed to make sure parents are aware if their teen is repeatedly trying to search for this content, and to give them the resources they need to support their teen.”

How Instagram’s New Alerts Will Work?

How will alerts work? (Image credit – Instagram)

Starting next week, both parents and teens enrolled in Instagram’s supervision programme will receive notifications informing them that the platform will begin sending alerts to parents based on teens’ search activity.

Search attempts that may trigger an alert include phrases promoting suicide or self-harm, terms suggesting a teen wants to harm themselves, and keywords such as “suicide” or “self-harm.”

Notifications will be delivered to parents through email, text message, or WhatsApp, depending on the contact details provided, along with an in-app alert. When parents tap on the notification, they will see a full-screen message explaining that their teen has repeatedly attempted to search for terms associated with suicide or self-harm within a short timeframe. The alert will also provide access to expert-backed resources to help parents navigate sensitive discussions with their child.

How will parents receive the alerts from Instagram? (Image credit – Instagram)

Initially, the feature will roll out next week to parents using Instagram’s parental supervision tools in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. The company confirmed that additional regions will gain access later this year.

Balancing Safety and Accuracy

Instagram acknowledged that sending alerts too frequently could reduce their effectiveness. To ensure a balanced approach, the company analysed search patterns on the platform and consulted with specialists from its Suicide and Self-Harm Advisory Group.

Instagram said, “We chose a threshold that requires a few searches within a short period of time, while still erring on the side of caution. While that means we may sometimes notify parents when there may not be real cause for concern, we feel — and experts agree — that this is the right starting point, and we’ll continue to monitor and listen to feedback to make sure we’re in the right place.”

Experts in child safety have welcomed the move. “When a young person searches about suicide or self-harm, empowering a parent to step in can be extremely important. The fact that Meta has now built this in is a meaningful step forward and is the kind of change that child safety experts have been pushing for,” said Dr Sameer Hinduja, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.

“It’s vital that parents have the information they need to support their teens. This is a really important step that should help give parents greater peace of mind – if their teen is actively trying to look for this type of harmful content on Instagram, they’ll know about it,” added Vicki Shotbolt, CEO Parent Zone.

Earlier this month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified at a landmark trial of social media companies. Appearing in court, the CEO wished the company had acted sooner in identifying underage users. “I always wish that we could have gotten there sooner… “I think a reasonable company should try to help the people that use its services,” Zuckerberg said.

FAQs

Q1. What is Instagram’s new safety feature for teens?

Answer. Instagram will now alert parents if their teenage child repeatedly searches for self-harm or suicide-related content. The alerts are part of its expanded parental supervision tools.

Q2. How will parents receive these alerts from Instagram?

Answer. Notifications will be sent via email, text message, WhatsApp, and in-app alerts. Parents will see a full-screen message explaining the search activity and will be provided with expert-backed resources to support their teen.

Q3. Where and when will the new Instagram Teen Safety Alert feature be available?

Answer. The rollout begins next week in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with plans to expand to additional regions later this year.

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