The platform, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last October, is introducing new policies aimed at protecting its members, especially the youngest.
With 24 million users in France, the social network largely attracts adolescents.
According to a Harris Interactive study, 69% of Generation Z Internet users, that is, 15-24 year olds, use Instagram every month.
Restricted interactions
As a first measure, the app prohibits adults from sending direct messages (DMs) to teens who don't follow them.
In fact, the adult will receive a notification to warn them that sending MDs is not an available option.
To achieve this, Instagram will rely on machine learning technology, "
machine learning
" in French, without access to private conversations.
This measure is effective as of today, and in all Instagram user countries.
When an adult messages a minor, Instagram will notify them that DM sending is unavailable.
“
Safety advisories
” are currently being tested in the United States and should soon be extended to the rest of the world.
These are notifications that will alert teens when an adult with potentially suspicious behavior interacts with them in their MDs.
By "
suspect
", Instagram gives the example of an adult who sends a large number of friend requests or messages to minors.
The young people can then end the conversation, block, report or restrict the person.
“
Requiring the adolescent - and not the adult - to make the connection, allows them to protect themselves.
It puts young people in the driver's seat and gives them more control over their Instagram experiences, ”
said Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely.org.
In the coming weeks, the social network will also limit the visibility of profiles of minors to adults with suspicious behavior, in “
user suggestions
” or even in short Reels videos.
An AI will verify the real age of users
Artificial intelligence will also be developed to control the real age of users.
Indeed, the minimum age to register on Instagram is at least 13 years old, but the platform specifies that it is aware “
that young people can lie about their date of birth.
In November 2019, 66.5% of French users under the age of 13 said they used Instagram, according to Heaven, a digital communications agency.
In order to verify the profiles, the AI will be coupled with machine learning to apply the new features.
At this time, the company has not given details on how these technologies will work.
Also read: Twitch takes new steps to tackle harassment
To guard against dangerous interactions, Instagram encourages minors to opt for a private account when registering.
If they choose a public account, a notification will be sent to the child some time later to remind them to check their settings.
For parents, Instagram recalls that a parental guide is made available to them, entitled “
How to talk to your teenagers about Instagram
”.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/B3MZXH4UXJAUZNKK4FVJZCVIJY.jpg)
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/KMEYMJKESBAZBE4MRBAM4TGHIQ.jpg)
