Instagram will ask teenagers to 'take a break' from app, stay away from harmful content

Instagram, a Facebook-owned photo-sharing site, will implement additional safeguards to steer teens away from harmful content and encourage them to "take a vacation" from the platform. On CNN's State of the Union, Facebook's vice president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, discussed the new upcoming measures. It comes less than a week after former Facebook employee Frances Haugen testified before Congress on internal Facebook research that discovered Instagram could impair young people's mental health.

Speaking to the media, Clegg said that they are going to introduce something that they believe will make a significant difference, which is that if our systems detect that a teenager is viewing the same content repeatedly. It's content that may not be conducive to their well-being; we will nudge them to view other content. He also noted that the firm is halting preparations for Instagram Kids and is providing parents with optional options to oversee their adolescent children. There is also a "Take a Break" button "feature that encourages adolescents to take a break from Instagram.

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Clegg did not provide a timetable for when the functionality will be available. In response to The Verge's inquiry, a Facebook spokesman stated that the features are not tested but will begin shortly.

When questioned if Facebook's algorithm boosted or disseminated pro-insurgency comments ahead of the January 6 US Capitol building disturbance, Clegg replied he couldn't say yes or no. According to Clegg, Facebook's algorithms "should be held responsible, if needed, by legislation, so that people can match what our systems claim they're supposed to do from what happens."

In other news, Instagram is stopping development of Instagram Kids, which is intended towards children under the age of 13, to address concerns about the vulnerability of younger users. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri claimed in a blog post that the delay will allow the company to "meet with parents, experts, lawmakers, and regulators, listen to their concerns, and demonstrate the benefit and relevancy of this project for younger teens online today."

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Instagram for Kids, according to Mosseri, is meant for youngsters aged 10 to 12, not younger. It will be ad-free, with age-appropriate content and features, and parental permission will be required to join. Parents will be able to track their children's app usage, including who can contact them, who can follow them, and who they can follow. While work on Instagram Kids has been halted, the firm will give opt-in parental monitoring options to teenage accounts aged 13 and up.