Instagram strengthens teen safety with stricter messaging and privacy tools

Instagram will now block all direct messages to teens under 18 from users they don’t follow, closing previous loopholes and requiring mutual following to initiate chats—aiming to curb unsolicited contact and enhance teen safety

In a significant move to protect young users, Instagram is rolling out enhanced safety measures designed to limit unwanted contact and promote a safer experience for teenagers on the platform. The latest update strengthens privacy defaults and imposes stricter controls on who can send direct messages (DMs) to teens.

Going forward, teens under 18 will no longer receive DMs from users they don’t follow—regardless of whether the sender is a verified account, influencer, or brand. Previously, strangers could send one message without media attachments, but this loophole has now been closed. Both parties must follow each other for any messaging to be initiated, a change aimed at curbing unsolicited contact and reducing online harassment.

Stronger messaging and privacy safeguards

The update also tightens messaging policies for adult users attempting to connect with teens. Unless a teen has added an adult to their approved contact list, messages from that adult will not be delivered. Additionally, accounts flagged for suspicious or inappropriate behavior—such as repeated reports—will be blocked entirely from messaging teens, reinforcing Instagram’s efforts to proactively screen for potential threats.

Beyond messaging, Instagram is pushing for improved privacy awareness among teens. New teen accounts will continue to default to private mode, but existing users will now receive prompts encouraging them to review their settings. These nudges will guide teens to control who can mention or tag them, who can reply to their stories, and who can view their content. Notifications will also alert users if their settings are overly permissive, helping teens make safer decisions online.

Global scrutiny spurs teen protections

The move comes amid mounting global scrutiny of social media platforms and their responsibility toward younger audiences. Regulators across the U.S., U.K., and Europe have intensified calls for digital safety frameworks, particularly around teen mental health and online grooming risks.

With these updates, Instagram signals its commitment to making the platform safer and more age-appropriate. While no solution is absolute, restricting DMs to known contacts and strengthening privacy settings represent meaningful steps toward protecting teens in a fast-evolving digital landscape.