ISLAMABAD – Social media giant Meta has extended its Teen Accounts feature to Facebook and Messenger users in Pakistan, a move aimed at tightening online safety for younger audiences and giving parents more confidence about their children’s digital activities.
The feature, already active on Instagram for over a year, introduces built-in restrictions that limit interactions, filter harmful content, and encourage healthier screen time habits.
What Teen Accounts Mean
According to Meta, teenagers under 18 who sign up for Facebook or Messenger will automatically be enrolled in Teen Accounts. Existing teen users will gradually transition into the system. The protections include:
- Stricter controls over who teens can interact with.
- Filters designed to block unsafe or inappropriate material.
- New tools to help balance and manage time spent online.
Meta says these safeguards were developed in response to concerns raised by parents about issues ranging from online predators to excessive scrolling.
Parents’ Concerns Addressed
In a statement, the company noted that Teen Accounts directly address parents’ top anxieties. “We want parents to feel good about their teens using social media,” said Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram. “They should be able to connect with friends and explore their interests without worrying about unsafe experiences.”
Expansion Beyond Instagram
The feature was first launched on Instagram, where Meta also placed limits on live streaming, tightened direct message restrictions, and made age-appropriate adjustments to its content systems.
With the rollout to Facebook and Messenger in Pakistan, Meta says it is moving closer to a global safety framework for young users, one that already spans hundreds of millions of accounts worldwide.
