Joy Agwunobi
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has launched its dedicated Teen Accounts feature in Nigeria, as part of a broader global strategy aimed at creating safer, more private, and supportive digital spaces for young users. across Africa.
The initiative, which has already enrolled 54 million teens globally since its rollout began in September 2024, is designed to empower families with safety-enhancing tools while maintaining the digital freedom of teenagers.
With more Nigerian teens joining Instagram daily, Meta says this move addresses growing concerns among parents and guardians about their children’s exposure to harmful or inappropriate online content.
“Teen Accounts have built-in protections that limit who can contact them and the content they see,” Meta stated, adding “We will automatically place teens in Nigeria into Teen Accounts, and teens under 16 will need a parent’s permission to change any of these settings to be less strict.”
According to Meta, all Nigerian teens who sign up on Instagram will now be automatically enrolled into Teen Accounts. The default settings come with multiple built-in safeguards – teen profiles are private by default, messaging is restricted to only those they follow, and content considered sensitive is filtered out across Instagram’s core surfaces—Search, Explore, Feed, and Reels. In addition, tagging and mentions are tightly controlled, so only approved users can interact with teen accounts in this way.
A key emphasis is also being placed on digital well-being. Instagram will now activate a “Hidden Words” filter by default to shield teens from offensive or bullying messages. Notifications will be automatically muted at night through a new “sleep mode”, running from 10 PM to 7 AM. After one hour of daily use, the app will also prompt users with a break reminder.
These features, Meta says, are locked in for users under the age of 16 unless a parent or guardian approves changes.
“For users under the age of 16, these protections are locked unless a parent provides explicit permission to loosen them—an added layer of assurance for guardians who seek more oversight of their children’s online habits,” the company noted.
In addition to teen-directed controls, Meta is also introducing a set of parental supervision tools that offer insight into how teens engage with Instagram without compromising message content or direct interactions.
With these tools, parents will be able to see who their teens have messaged over the previous seven days. They can also set daily time limits, restrict access to Instagram during designated hours such as bedtime, and view the categories of content their teen interacts with—helping to align usage with family values and expectations.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Sylvia Musalagani, safety policy manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET) at Meta, stated , “We are excited to bring these features to Nigeria and help families navigate online spaces safely. Teen Accounts are designed to give parents peace of mind, allowing teens to connect with friends and explore interests without worrying about unsafe experiences.”
Regulatory stakeholders in Nigeria have welcomed the move, noting its alignment with national priorities on data privacy and online protection for minors.
Emmanuel Edet, director of regulations and compliance at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), underscored the policy’s alignment with Nigeria’s digital safety roadmap, stating, “Meta’s new policy aligns with several core priorities outlined in NITDA’s strategic roadmap, particularly concerning data privacy and protection for minors, now under the purview of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, and child online protection and digital well-being, which we have collaboratively addressed with our sister agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission.”
“NITDA has been a strong advocate for child online protection through various initiatives, including national strategies and proposed legislation, such as the Online Harms Protection Bill, which addresses age verification and parental controls. This policy reinforces the need for age-appropriate online experiences and promotes digital well-being,” Edet added.
Meta’s roll-out in Nigeria is part of a wider effort to reimagine its platforms for younger audiences. According to the tech giant, since the global introduction of Teen Accounts in late 2024, 97 percent of Instagram users aged 13 to 15 have remained within the default protective settings, a testament to the feature’s effectiveness and uptake.
The company further reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital safety infrastructure in the country. “We are committed to building tools, sharing resources, and forming partnerships that prioritise the protection of teens and foster safer online experiences for families in Nigeria,” Meta noted.
