Share this @internewscast.com

Meta will begin removing some sensitive and “age-inappropriate” content from teenagers’ feeds, the company said in an announcement published Tuesday.

Meta already restricted topics such as self-harm, eating disorders and mental illnesses from being recommended to teens on Reels and the Explore pages of its apps. The new update also restricts these topics from appearing in young users’ feeds and Stories, even if the content was posted by people they follow.

The company said it is hiding more search results and terms relating to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders for everyone in coming weeks. Meta said it will be directing people to resources for help if they search these topics.

“We want teens to have safe, age-appropriate experiences on our apps,” the company wrote in a blog post announcing the changes.

Teens will have the most restrictive content control settings on Facebook and Instagram by default. This measure is being used to reduce the amount of sensitive content that they are exposed to on Meta’s apps.

Meta will also send notifications and prompts to teens to encourage them to update their settings to make their accounts more private.

The shift comes as the social networking giant has remained the target of intense scrutiny over how its products affect young people.

Meta was sued in 2022 by one family for recommending their teen daughter content that glorified anorexia and self-harm on Instagram. The company was also criticized following the release of the “Facebook Papers,” internal Meta research documents leaked in 2021, which revealed that the company was aware of Instagram’s harmful effects on teen girls.

More recently, a former engineering director and consultant for the social media company testified in a congressional hearing in November that Meta needed to do more to keep children safe. In October, a bipartisan group of 33 state attorneys general sued Meta in connection with what they said were addictive features aimed at young people.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg responded to backlash over its policies for children in a Facebook post in 2021.

“I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the kinds of experiences I want my kids and others to have online, and it’s very important to me that everything we build is safe and good for kids,” he said in the post.

In its announcement Tuesday, Meta said it has “developed more than 30 tools and resources to support teens and their parents” and regularly consults with experts to make its platforms safer.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Teen Among Five Injured in Arlington House Party Shooting Following Heated Argument

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An early morning house party in Jacksonville’s Arlington area…
Former Hamas hostage warned Australian leaders about dangers of antisemitism months before Bondi Beach attack

Ex-Hamas Hostage’s Urgent Warning on Antisemitism Ignored: Insights Months Ahead of Bondi Beach Incident

A former hostage of Hamas, Eli Sharabi, recently shared his concerns with…
AG Pam Bondi has 'conflict of interest' in seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione, defense says

Conflict of Interest: AG Pam Bondi’s Controversial Pursuit of the Death Penalty in Luigi Mangione Case

NEW YORK — In a recent court submission, attorneys representing Luigi Mangione…
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears look to get payback against Michah Parsons-less Green Bay Packers in NFC North showdown

Caleb Williams and Chicago Bears Aim for Redemption Against Green Bay Packers in NFC North Clash, Benefiting From Micah Parsons’ Absence

CHICAGO — Riding high with a five-game winning streak and victories in…
State Attorney's Office to seek death penalty for suspect in deadly Putnam County stabbing

Putnam County Stabbing Case: State Attorney Pursues Death Penalty for Suspect

The harrowing nature of a recent crime in Putnam County, Florida, has…
Blue Origin launch: Paraplegic engineer Michaela Benthaus becomes first wheelchair user to blast into space

Groundbreaking Space Journey: Paraplegic Engineer Michaela Benthaus Makes History as First Wheelchair User in Space

A remarkable journey unfolded on Saturday as Michaela Benthaus, a paraplegic engineer…
Ex-Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack arrested in Texas

Former Jaguars Linebacker Myles Jack Detained in Texas

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack faced arrest in Frisco, Texas, on…
Substitute teacher arrested after encouraging kids to fight at Duval County middle school, police say

Duval County Substitute Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Inciting Student Fights at Middle School

A substitute teacher at Lake Shore Middle School in Jacksonville, Florida, has…
Hot Takes: Dems Melt Down Over Kennedy Center Name Change - Ric Grenell Levels Them With Reality

Democrats React Strongly to Kennedy Center’s Name Change as Ric Grenell Weighs In

The Kennedy Center board recently made a significant decision to honor former…
Jake Paul fight: Anthony Joshua knocks out YouTuber in 6th round to win heavyweight bout

Anthony Joshua Defeats Jake Paul with Sixth-Round Knockout in Heavyweight Showdown

MIAMI — In a thrilling showdown on Friday night, Anthony Joshua delivered…
Blue Origin safely launches wheelchair user to space and back

Historic Blue Origin Mission: First Wheelchair User Successfully Travels to Space and Returns

In a remarkable achievement for space travel and inclusivity, Blue Origin, led…
LA deputies caught on camera racing into foggy ocean to rescue disoriented paragliders

Los Angeles Deputies Heroically Dive into Foggy Waters to Rescue Stranded Paragliders

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies heroically saved two paragliders from a…