Meta Defends Safety Record with New PG-13 Instagram Feature

In a move that serves as both a product update and a defense of its safety record, Meta is launching a new PG-13 style content system for Instagram’s teen users. The company is presenting this as evidence that it provides “robust tools” for parents, directly countering recent critical reports.
The new “13+” setting will be the default for all users under 18 and will filter out more mature content. A key part of Meta’s argument is that parents are given the final say, as their permission is needed for a teen to opt out of the system.
This announcement comes as Meta actively pushes back against a damning report from independent researchers and a former employee, which claimed its safety tools were ineffective. Meta rejected those findings, and this new feature is being positioned as a prime example of its commitment to safety.
The PG-13 system will restrict content with strong language, risky stunts, and promotions of harmful behavior. It will also block searches for sensitive terms, which Meta will point to as a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to protecting young users.
As the feature launches, it becomes a central piece of evidence in the ongoing debate over Meta’s safety record. While the company presents it as proof of its diligence, critics remain unconvinced, demanding independent verification to prove it’s more than a defensive PR move.