Instagram will soon be rolling out a new feature to identify teens at risk for mental health issues. Parents will receive an immediate alert if a teen repeatedly searches for terms like “suicide” or “self-harm.”
Social media has become a major part of children’s lives. Teens can often search for words on these platforms that could pose a threat to their mental health. Addressing this concern, Instagram has announced a new feature. Parents will receive an alert message if a teen repeatedly searches for sensitive terms like “suicide” or “self-harm.” This alert will be sent to parents via email, WhatsApp, SMS, or the Instagram app, allowing them to monitor their child and provide timely support.
Previously, Instagram simply blocked such words and redirected teen users to support resources. However, this feature will go a step further and alert parents to ensure their child is searching for concerning content.
To keep teen accounts safe, Instagram already blocks such dangerous words and redirects them to helplines or support resources. However, this step marks the first step in providing direct information to parents as well. This allows parents to quickly identify any concerns about their child’s mental state, allowing them to communicate and provide support.
How Parents Will Receive Alerts
Parents can receive alerts in various ways: via email, in-app notifications, SMS, or WhatsApp messages. This will apply to the contact information parents have provided on their Instagram profile. Instagram will also provide resources alongside the alerts to help parents understand what to say and what kind of support they should provide to their teen child. This will help them understand how to address the issue.
Where is this feature currently implemented?
This new Parent Alert system will be available in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada starting next week. It will be gradually rolled out to more countries to help more parents and teens stay safe. With the increasing use of social media, mental health has become a serious issue for teens. Many teens search for topics that may cause them to feel fear, loneliness, or insecurity.
