Meta Introduces Parental Controls for Teen AI Chats on Instagram
Meta Platforms is rolling out advanced parental controls for Instagram, targeting AI-powered chat interactions involving teenagers. The features, set to launch in early 2026, will allow parents to disable AI chats entirely, block specific AI characters, and monitor conversation topics. Initially available to English-speaking users in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, the update aims to address growing concerns about AI's impact on youth mental health.
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into how AI chatbots influence children's emotional well-being. Meta's MOVE precedes regulatory scrutiny, positioning the company as proactive in responsible AI deployment. "Updates affecting billions require deliberate execution," the company stated, underscoring the scale of its user base.
