Meta’s Messenger unveils parental supervision tools for teen safety

Meta has launched parental supervision tools on Messenger, aimed at empowering parents and guardians to ensure the safety and well-being of their teenage children in the digital world. By offering access to Messenger supervision tools and expert resources through the Meta Family Center, parents can now actively support their teens' online experiences.

The parental supervision tools on Messenger are initially available in the US, UK, and Canada, with plans for a global expansion in the coming months. These innovative tools provide parents with valuable insights into their teen's Messenger usage without compromising their privacy. It is important to note that these tools do not grant parents access to their teen's private messages.

Key features of the parental supervision tools on Messenger include:

1. Monitoring Usage: Parents can track the amount of time their teens spend on Messenger, gaining valuable insights into their online habits.

2. Contacts List Updates: Parents will have visibility into their teen's Messenger contacts list, as well as their privacy and safety settings, ensuring a secure online environment.

3. Report Notifications: Parents will receive notifications if their teen reports someone on Messenger, further enhancing safety measures and promoting open communication.

4. Message Settings: Parents can view who can message their teen, whether it is limited to friends, friends of friends, or no one. They will also receive notifications if any changes are made to this setting.

5. Messenger Stories: Parents can monitor who can view their teen's Messenger stories and will be alerted if any modifications are made to these settings.

Over the next year, Meta plans to expand the range of features available through Parental Supervision on Messenger, enabling parents to assist their teens in managing their time and interactions effectively. It is important to note that these tools will function in both unencrypted and end-to-end encrypted chats, allowing for privacy while maintaining enhanced parental oversight.

The launch of Parental Supervision on Messenger is part of Meta's ongoing commitment to creating the Meta Family Center as a central hub where parents and guardians can access valuable resources and tools to manage their teens' experiences across Meta technologies. This initiative aims to foster meaningful dialogue between parents and teens, ensuring a healthy and informed approach to their online lives.

In addition to the introduction of Parental Supervision on Messenger, Meta is actively testing new messaging privacy features on Instagram. These features are specifically designed to safeguard teens from unwanted interactions and protect their well-being. The new measures include:

1. Invitation-based messaging: Individuals will be required to send an invite to connect with someone who doesn't follow them on Instagram. This ensures that permission is obtained before initiating a conversation. Users can only send one invite at a time and cannot send additional invites until the recipient accepts the invitation to connect.

2. Text-only invites: Message request invites will be limited to text-only communication, preventing the transmission of photos, videos, voice messages, or making calls until the recipient accepts the invitation to chat. This restriction aims to prevent the receipt of unwanted media from individuals not followed by the recipient.

To promote responsible usage and encourage a healthy relationship with technology, Meta is taking further steps to nudge teens to manage their time on Facebook and Instagram. For instance, Facebook will notify teens after spending 20 minutes on the platform, encouraging them to take breaks and set daily time limits. Additionally, Instagram is exploring a new feature that nudges teens to close the app if they are excessively scrolling through Reels at night.