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According to information from Reuters, Instagram will implement a notification system for parents if their children repeatedly search for information about suicide. This feature will only be available to those who have activated the "parental control" option in the "Family Center" section of the app. For users under 16 years old, changes to account settings can only be made with parental consent when parental controls are enabled. Additionally, parents will be able to monitor their children's activity time, set limits, and control certain parameters if the teenager grants permission for this. If the system detects frequent searches for content related to suicide or self-harm, parents will receive a corresponding notification.
The pilot testing of the new feature will begin in countries such as the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada, with the possibility of further expansion to other countries.
The introduction of this feature is a response to the growing discussions about the need to restrict teenagers' access to social networks in some countries. For example, Australia has already implemented a ban on the use of such platforms for children under 16 years old. The UK is also considering similar age restrictions. Greece and Slovenia are exploring the possibility of introducing such measures, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced plans for a ban on access to social networks for children under 16 years old.
