What The Tech: How Instagram is taking steps to protect your kids
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Instagram has added a new safety feature that alerts parents if their teen searches for content related to suicide or self-harm.
The tool is part of Instagram’s expanded Teen Account protections, introduced in 2024 by parent company Meta. It’s designed to give families an early warning if a teen may be struggling.
How the New Notification Works
If a teen’s account is supervised by a parent through Instagram’s Family Center, parents can receive a notification when their child searches for suicide or self-harm-related content.
The alert does not reveal the exact search terms. Instead, it simply informs the parent that their teen searched for content related to suicide or self-harm.
Instagram says when teens search certain sensitive terms, the app already redirects them to support resources, including mental health information and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
This new feature adds another layer by notifying parents as well.
Important: This Is Not Automatic
The setting only works if supervision has been activated.
Parents and teens must link their accounts inside Instagram’s Family Center. Without that connection, parents will not receive notifications.
For teens under 16, Instagram’s Teen Accounts are private by default and include additional protections. But the search alert feature requires parental supervision to be turned on.
What Parents Should Know
This tool may provide an early signal that a teen is struggling. But it does not give parents access to private messages or detailed search history.
And no social media platform can prevent teens from:
● Creating second accounts
● Lying about their age
● Moving conversations to other apps
Technology can add guardrails. It cannot replace conversations at home.
Why This Matters
Social media companies continue to face pressure from lawmakers and parents over teen mental health and online safety.
Instagram’s latest move suggests platforms are responding by adding more built-in protections rather than relying solely on optional settings.
Whether it’s enough remains a topic of debate.
But for parents who use supervision tools, this new alert may provide an important opportunity to check in and start a conversation.
