Instagram is officially going PG-13. In a major safety update, Meta has announced a complete overhaul of Teen Accounts on Instagram to ensure a safer, more age-appropriate experience for users under 18.
The new system will now align Instagram’s teen content with PG-13 movie standards, meaning that teens will only see material similar to what’s considered suitable for a PG-13-rated film.
“Teens will see contents similar to what they’d encounter in a PG-13 movie,” Meta said in a statement.
“This means they might occasionally come across suggestive contents or strong language, but we are committed to keeping those instances rare.”
This update comes shortly after Instagram rolled out its Map feature in India, allowing users to share locations, explore nearby posts, and control who can view their activity.
How Instagram’s PG-13 Mode Works
Starting immediately, all teen users will automatically be placed in the updated 13+ setting, and they cannot opt out without parental consent.
Parents who wish to tighten restrictions further can activate a new “Limited Content” mode, which filters even more material. This setting removes teens’ ability to see, comment on, or receive comments under certain posts.
From 2026, this mode will also limit the scope of AI conversations teens can have on Instagram. According to Meta, 96% of US parents welcomed the introduction of this feature.
The company says the changes reflect its ongoing commitment to “balance creativity with safety.”
What Will PG-13 Instagram Look Like?
Under the new settings, Instagram will block teen users from following or interacting with accounts known to share mature or inappropriate content.
Even if teens already follow such accounts, their access will be restricted automatically — meaning they won’t be able to view posts, comment, or send messages to those users.
Additionally, Instagram will:
Limit mature or sensitive contents visibility in Search, Reels, Explore, and Stories.
Filter out results related to alcohol, gore, self-harm, and eating disorders.
Block DM links that lead to restricted or guideline-violating content.
Apply PG-13 standards to AI experiences, ensuring that automated responses remain appropriate for younger users.
These updates aim to make the platform feel safer and more aligned with age-based viewing norms similar to those in the entertainment industry.
Parental Feedback Shaped the Changes
Meta emphasized that parental feedback was central to designing these features.
The company said that it collected over 3 million content ratings from parents across the globe, using their input to fine-tune what’s acceptable for teens to view.
“We’re encouraged to see that this feedback, and the changes we made in response to it, made parents more comfortable with content recommended to teens,” Meta stated.
Instagram is also testing a new parental supervision tool, allowing parents to flag contents they consider inappropriate for teens. These flagged posts will receive priority review, and parents will be notified of the decision once reviewed.
Global Rollout Timeline
According to an Ipsos survey commissioned by Meta, 95% of US parents believe these changes will be useful, and 90% say the new settings make it easier to understand what kind of content their teen might encounter on the platform.
The rollout begins today in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with a global rollout expected by the end of the year.
“We recognize no system is perfect, and we’re committed to improving over time,” Instagram said.
“We hope this update reassures parents that we’re working to show teens safe, age-appropriate content on Instagram by default, while also giving them more ways to shape their teen’s experience.”
Instagram Goes PG-13: Meta Introduces Teen-Safe Mode To Make Platform More Age-Appropriate
