Meta is rolling out new tools to give parents greater oversight of their teens’ Instagram activity, the company announced on October 17, 2025.
The move comes after criticism over inappropriate interactions between teens and AI-powered chatbots on the platform.
The updated parental supervision features allow guardians to monitor their teens’ messaging activity, including who they’re contacting and the frequency of those interactions.
Parents can also set time limits for Instagram use and restrict access during specific hours, such as overnight.
These controls build on existing tools that let parents view their teen’s followers and accounts they follow.
The changes address concerns raised by lawsuits and advocacy groups about Instagram’s impact on teen mental health and safety.
Critics had flagged “flirty” AI chatbot interactions as a particular risk, prompting Meta to limit teens’ exposure to such features.
The company stated these measures aim to balance teen privacy with parental peace of mind.
Meta is also introducing educational resources for parents to guide teens on safe social media use.
The tools are being rolled out globally, with full implementation expected by early 2026.
