Meta has launched Teen Accounts on Instagram in the UAE, introducing a suite of built-in protections designed to create a safer and more age-appropriate online experience for young users. This move is part of the company’s broader digital wellbeing initiative and reflects growing efforts to address online safety concerns for teenagers.
Starting immediately, users under the age of 16 will automatically be placed into Teen Accounts, which apply the strictest privacy and content settings by default. These include private account status, restricted messaging from non-contacts, and limited exposure to sensitive content on features like Explore and Reels. Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow, and the Hidden Words feature—which filters offensive language—is enabled by default.
Additionally, Teen Accounts come with features designed to support healthy usage habits. Daily time limits prompt users to log off after 60 minutes, and a built-in sleep mode silences notifications and auto-replies to direct messages from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Parental involvement is a cornerstone of the system. Teens cannot adjust the default safety settings to a less strict mode without approval from a parent or guardian. According to Meta, over 54 million teens worldwide have already been enrolled in the program, with 97% of users aged 13 to 15 opting to retain the protections.
To coincide with the launch, Meta hosted a Teen Summit in Dubai in collaboration with the UAE Digital Wellbeing Council. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, the Federal Youth Authority, and other key stakeholders to discuss teen safety in digital spaces. Workshops led by parent creators and mental health professionals provided practical guidance on using Instagram’s safety tools.
Meta is also working with local parent influencers, including Alaa Abou Harb and The Afrobysara Family, to develop video content that explains the platform’s new features and how to use them effectively.
Sylvia Musalagani, Safety Policy Manager for the Africa, Middle East, and Turkey region, emphasized that Teen Accounts are designed to strike a balance between online freedom and protection: “We want teens to be able to explore and connect, but with safety features in place that give peace of mind to parents.”
As the rollout begins, the UAE becomes one of the key regions where Meta is testing its most comprehensive teen safety measures to date.
