Young Instagram users could still be exposed to "serious risks" even if they use new Teen Accounts brought in to provide more protection and control, research by campaigners suggests. Researchers behind a new report have said they were able to set up accounts using fake birthdays and they were then shown sexualised content, hateful comments, and recommended adult accounts to follow. Meta, which owns Instagram, says its new accounts have "built-in protections" and it shares "the goal of keeping teens safe online". The research, from online child safety charity 5Rights Foundation, is released as Ofcom, the UK regulator, is about to publish its children's safety codes. They will outline the rules platforms will have to follow under the Online Safety Act. Platforms will then have three months to show that they have systems in place which protect children. That includes robust age checks, safer algorithms which don't recommend harmful content, and effective content moderation. Instagram Teen Accounts were set up in September 2024 to offer new protections for children and to create what Meta called "peace of mind for parents". The new accounts were designed to limit who could contact users and reduce the amount of content young people could see. Existing users would be transferred to the new accounts and those signing up for the first time would automatically get one. But researchers from 5Rights Foundation were able to set up a series of fake Teen Accounts using false birthdays, with no additional checks by the platform. They found that immediately on sign up they were offered adult accounts to follow and message. Instagram's algorithms, they claim, "still promote sexualised imagery, harmful beauty ideals and other negative stereotypes". The researchers said their Teen Accounts were also recommended posts "filled with significant amounts of hateful comments". The charity also had concerns about the addictive nature of the app and exposure to sponsored, commercialised content. Baroness Beeban Kidron founder of 5Rights Foundation said: "This is not a teen environment." "They are not checking age, they are recommending adults, they are putting them in commercial situations without letting them know and it's deeply sexualised." Meta said the accounts "provide built-in protections for teens limiting who's contacting them, the content they can see, and the time spent on our apps". "Teens in the UK have automatically been moved into these enhanced protections and under 16s need a parent's permission to change them," it added. In a separate development BBC News has also learned about the existence of groups dedicated to self-harm on X. The groups or "communities", as they are known on the platform, contain tens of thousands of members sharing graphic images and videos of self-harm. Some of the users involved in the groups appear to be children. Becca Spinks, an American researcher who discovered the groups, said: "I was absolutely floored to see 65,000 members of a community." "It was so graphic, there were people in there taking polls on where they should cut next." X was approached for comment, but did not respond. But in a submission to an Ofcom consultation last year X said: "We have clear rules in place to protect the safety of the service and the people using it." "In the UK, X is committed to complying with the Online Safety Act," it added.
Instagram still posing serious risks to children, campaigners say
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Research Highlights Ongoing Risks of Instagram for Young Users Despite New Safety Features"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Recent research by the 5Rights Foundation has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of young users on Instagram, despite the introduction of new Teen Accounts aimed at providing enhanced protection. The foundation's study revealed that researchers were able to create accounts using false birthdays, which allowed them to bypass age verification measures. Upon setting up these accounts, they were immediately exposed to inappropriate content, including sexualized imagery and adult accounts recommended for follow. The findings suggest that Instagram's algorithms continue to promote harmful content, including negative beauty ideals and hateful comments, highlighting a substantial gap in the platform's promised safety measures. The report comes as the UK's regulatory body, Ofcom, prepares to publish safety codes that will enforce stricter regulations under the Online Safety Act, requiring social media platforms to implement robust age checks and safer algorithms to protect children online.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, asserts that the new Teen Accounts incorporate built-in protections designed to limit interactions and content visibility for young users. However, critics, including Baroness Beeban Kidron of the 5Rights Foundation, argue that these measures are insufficient, pointing out that the platform fails to adequately verify users' ages and continues to expose them to commercialized and sexualized content. Additionally, concerns have emerged regarding the addictive nature of Instagram and the potential for young users to encounter harmful content. In a related issue, it has been reported that communities on X (formerly Twitter) are sharing graphic self-harm content, raising further alarm about the safety of children on social media platforms. These developments underscore the urgent need for effective regulatory frameworks and accountability measures to protect young users from the inherent risks associated with social media usage.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article reveals significant concerns regarding the effectiveness of Instagram's new Teen Accounts, which were introduced to enhance protections for young users. Despite these measures, research indicates that children may still encounter serious risks, including exposure to inappropriate content and harmful interactions. This raises important questions about the platform's commitment to child safety and the robustness of its protective features.
Concerns Over Child Safety
The findings from the 5Rights Foundation suggest that the newly implemented safeguards may not be sufficient. Researchers successfully created fake Teen Accounts without rigorous age verification, allowing them to access adult-oriented content and problematic interactions. This highlights potential loopholes in Instagram's safety mechanisms, suggesting that the platform may not adequately address the challenges posed by its own algorithms.
Implications of the Report
The timing of this report coincides with Ofcom's upcoming children's safety codes, which will impose regulations on social media platforms under the Online Safety Act. As such, the article serves to draw attention to the need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols in digital spaces. By exposing these vulnerabilities, the research aims to push for accountability and improvements in online safety for children.
Public Perception and Trust
This news piece is likely to shape public perception, creating a sense of distrust towards Instagram and potentially influencing parents' decisions about their children's online activities. The narrative suggests a critical view of Meta's ability to protect young users, thereby fostering a climate of skepticism regarding the effectiveness of technology companies in ensuring child safety.
Potential Manipulative Elements
While the article presents factual findings, it also evokes emotional responses by highlighting the risks associated with social media use among children. The choice of language and emphasis on negative outcomes may lead to a perception of manipulation, aiming to spur action from regulators and the public. The focus on alarming statistics and experiences may overshadow the positive aspects of Instagram, thereby influencing reader sentiment.
Connection to Broader Conversations
This article resonates with ongoing discussions about the responsibilities of social media platforms in safeguarding vulnerable users. It aligns with global concerns regarding digital safety and the mental well-being of young people in an increasingly online world. The emphasis on algorithmic transparency and accountability reflects wider societal demands for ethical practices in technology.
Economic and Political Impact
The implications of this report could extend to the stock performance of Meta and its subsidiaries. Investors may react to perceived risks associated with regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage, which could affect market confidence. Additionally, the narrative surrounding child safety could influence policymaking, prompting stricter regulations that impact the tech industry at large.
Community Support and Engagement
The article is likely to resonate with advocacy groups focused on child safety, parents, and educators who are concerned about the implications of social media on youth. It appeals to communities dedicated to improving online environments for children, encouraging dialogue and collective action for reform.
Technological Considerations
There is a possibility that AI tools were employed in the analysis or presentation of this report, especially in data collection or content moderation discussions. However, the article primarily focuses on human experiences and research findings, suggesting that while AI may play a role in content generation, the core message is rooted in real-world implications.
In summary, the credibility of the article is reinforced by the presentation of research findings from a reputable organization, yet it also reflects a narrative that may invoke fear and urgency. Thus, while the information appears reliable, the framing of the issues could influence public perception in a specific direction.