Background

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, has faced growing scrutiny over the exposure of young users to potentially unsafe content on its platforms. Recent reports highlighted that a majority of children aged 13 to 15 encounter unwanted or unsafe messages on Instagram, and that the platform’s AI guidelines previously allowed chatbots to engage in romantic or sensual conversations with minors.

New Parental Controls

Starting in 2026, Meta will roll out parental controls that let parents block their teen’s access to AI chatbots on Instagram. Parents can choose to turn off all one‑on‑one chats with AI characters or selectively block individual AI personalities while still allowing general AI assistance with built‑in age‑appropriate safeguards. The controls also promise to give parents insight into the topics their teens discuss with AI, although the exact reporting mechanism was not detailed.

How the Controls Work

Teen users typically interact with AI chatbots through Instagram’s direct‑message feature, where they may encounter creator‑generated AI, custom AI characters, or Meta’s own general‑use AI. Under the new system, parents can either block all AI chat interactions or target specific AI characters they deem unsuitable. Even with restrictions, teens will retain access to Meta’s standard AI assistant, which operates with default protections designed for younger audiences.

Expert Reaction

Common Sense Media’s founder and CEO, James Steyer, described the new controls as a “reactive concession” and argued that they fall short of what is needed for child safety. He emphasized that no one under 18 should use Meta’s AI chatbots until fundamental safety issues are resolved. Meta’s spokesperson countered that the company is actively incorporating expert feedback and will continue to refine its privacy‑conscious approach.

Additional Safety Measures

Meta also outlined broader safeguards for AI characters, stating they are programmed not to engage in age‑inappropriate discussions about self‑harm, suicide, or disordered eating. The AI is limited to topics such as education, sports and hobbies, and is designed to mirror the content standards of a PG‑13 movie for teen accounts.

Implications for Users and Parents

The forthcoming parental controls aim to give families more confidence in allowing teens to benefit from AI features while mitigating exposure to risky content. By offering both blanket and granular blocking options, Meta seeks to address parental concerns about who their children interact with, the nature of the content, and the overall time spent on AI‑driven conversations. The rollout represents a significant step in the platform’s ongoing effort to balance engagement with safety for younger users.

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