New Study Highlights Ongoing Risks of Adult Contact for Young Teens on Instagram
A new study reveals that young teens continue to experience unwanted contact from adults on Instagram, with 40% of those receiving messages reporting the sender appeared to be seeking a romantic or sexual relationship. The findings, released by child-advocacy groups ParentsTogether Action and The Heat Initiative through Design it for Us, raise concerns about the platform’s safety measures despite recent changes implemented by Meta.
the report underscores the persistent challenges of protecting vulnerable adolescents online, even as Instagram has introduced features aimed at enhancing teen account protections. The issue is especially pressing given the platform’s widespread use among young people and the potential for grooming and exploitation. While Meta disputes the study’s findings, the report adds to a growing body of evidence questioning the effectiveness of current safeguards and calls for more robust measures to ensure a safer online environment for teens.
The study, the full report of which is not yet publicly available, found that a significant proportion of young Instagram users are exposed to possibly harmful interactions. Emails sent to ParentsTogether and The Heat initiative seeking further details were not immediately returned, and Meta has not yet responded to a request for comment on the study’s conclusions.
This latest report follows a similar study published in September, which involved former Meta executive Arturo Bejar and was highly critical of child safety protocols on Instagram. That report, titled “Teen Accounts, Broken Promises: How Instagram is Failing to Protect Minors,” echoed concerns about the platform’s vulnerability to predators and the inadequacy of existing protections.
Meta has previously stated it has made changes to direct messaging features on its platforms to address child safety concerns, including expanded protections for teen accounts. However, the new study suggests these measures may not be sufficient to prevent unwanted adult contact and protect young users from potential harm.
