Instagram Adopts PG-13 Rules to Shield Teen Users from Adult Content
Meta has announced new safety measures on Instagram that restrict what teenage users can view, aligning content guidelines with PG-13 movie standards.
Under the updated rules, Instagram will limit exposure to accounts that share sexualized material or content related to drugs and alcohol. Posts containing explicit language will no longer appear in recommendations for teens, although young users can still search for them if they choose.
The company explained that accounts featuring adult-themed links—such as OnlyFans or liquor businesses—will be hidden from teens. If a teenager is already following such accounts, Instagram will block access to the more mature content they post.
According to Meta, these adjustments are designed to make Instagram safer for teens while giving parents more clarity. Executives noted that while previous rules already matched or exceeded PG-13 standards, many parents found the policies confusing. By adopting a framework that mirrors movie ratings, Meta hopes to provide a clearer benchmark for families.
“We wanted to align our guidelines with a standard parents already understand,” the company said in a blog post. “While social media is different from film, this update ensures the experience for users aged 13 and up feels closer to a PG-13 movie environment.”
Instagram has long faced criticism over youth safety. A 2021 investigative report revealed internal research suggesting Instagram negatively affected teenage girls’ mental health. Other studies highlighted how easily teens could access harmful content, including illegal substances, through the app.
In recent years, Meta has rolled out additional parental controls and safety features, such as tools to block or report unwanted accounts and insights into how teens interact with others online.
The new PG-13-based content rules will first roll out in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, before expanding worldwide.
