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
Five days of severe weather targets millions across the South

Southern States Brace for Five-Day Severe Weather Onslaught Impacting Millions

After enduring a tough winter, Americans are eagerly anticipating a fresh start…
Luigi Mangione musical set to premiere on NYC stage

Experience the Magic: Luigi Mangione’s Musical Debut Takes Center Stage in NYC!

A darkly comedic musical chronicling the story of Luigi Mangione, the alleged…
New Jersey-bound United flight makes emergency landing at LAX after engine fire

Terrifying Mid-Air Drama: United Flight’s Emergency Landing at LAX After Engine Fire En Route to New Jersey

A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey made an emergency landing…
Trump will attend White House Correspondents' Dinner in stunning twist

Trump’s Surprising Return: Former President to Attend White House Correspondents’ Dinner

In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has decided to attend…
Hollywood stuntman settles lawsuit for death at Burning Man-style party

Stuntman’s Family Reaches Settlement in Tragic Burning Man-Inspired Festival Accident

A tragic incident at a Burning Man-inspired beach festival has led to…
Austin mass shooting: Timeline traces suspect’s rap sheet as terror link probed

Unraveling Austin’s Chaos: Suspect’s History and Potential Terror Ties Under Investigation in Mass Shooting

The gunman involved in the tragic shooting outside a bar in Austin,…
Cessna plane from Long Island crashes into Hudson River during emergency landing

Miraculous Hudson River Landing: Long Island Cessna’s Emergency Descent Captures Attention

On Monday night, a small aircraft originating from Long Island dramatically descended…
Asking Eric: Husband thinks mother is perfect; wife thinks she’s a bully

Navigating Family Dynamics: When Your Husband’s ‘Perfect’ Mom Feels Like a Bully

Dear Eric: I’ve been married to my husband for nearly 35 years,…
Tarot influencer’s claims in Idaho college murders case spark courtroom reckoning

Idaho College Murders: Tarot Influencer’s Allegations Lead to Courtroom Drama

A federal jury in Boise has awarded a University of Idaho professor…
Deranged dad charged for stabbing estranged wife to death as teen daughter fights to save her life

Tragic Family Incident: Father Charged in Fatal Stabbing of Estranged Wife as Brave Teen Daughter Attempts to Save Her

A Long Island man faces charges after allegedly stabbing his estranged wife…
Paddleboarder wearing backpack cruises along the icy Hudson River: video

Video Captures Paddleboarder Navigating Icy Hudson River with Backpack

In an unexpected spectacle on Friday, a paddleboarder navigated the Hudson River,…
FBI remains on high alert, DHS memo warns of lone wolf attacks amid war with Iran

Heightened Alert: FBI and DHS Warn of Increased Lone Wolf Threats Amid Tensions with Iran

Tensions are rising as the FBI maintains heightened vigilance during the ongoing…