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Instagram Sets PG-13–Style Default for Teen Accounts, Begins Rollout in Four Countries

Parental consent becomes required to loosen filters, with AI enforcing age gates.

Overview

  • Under-18 users now default to content comparable to US PG-13, mapped to FSK-12 in Europe, and only parents can approve changes.
  • The update is live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, with additional countries to follow and reports pointing to an EU/Germany rollout likely in early 2026.
  • Instagram will downrank or block posts featuring coarse language, risky challenges or drug paraphernalia, and restrict following of accounts that regularly share unsuitable material.
  • A stricter optional setting called Limited Content gives families an even more filtered feed and adds tools for parents to flag posts for review.
  • Meta says age‑estimation will detect falsified birthdays and apply safeguards, as analysts question AI accuracy and note intensifying legal and regulatory pressure on youth protections.