Meta subsidiary Instagram releases new teen-centric updates including Quiet Mode to silence notifications and new post-filtering options.
Quick Facts
- Meta announced on Thursday that Instagram would introduce Quiet Mode and other post-filtering updates
- Users will have more granular control over the way they approach and use the platform
- The update addressed issues raised by policymakers on the app’s impact on teens
On Thursday, Instagram confirmed the launch of updates built around user data to regulate the app space accessible to teens. Users will have the option to hide posts comprising keywords chosen by users like “sports” or “lifestyle.”
They can filter posts with specific words in their hashtags and captions. Instagram already enables its users to filter DMs with a self-curated list of offensive or potentially dangerous content but the new filtering feature will expand the scope of the existing feature.
The updated settings include Quiet mode which can be used to silence Instagram notifications and auto-respond to direct messages (DMs). Users can customize these options to suit their schedule.
The app will show prompts to enable quiet mode when teenagers spend a lot of time using the app at night. It will initially roll out in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Is post-filtering a new feature within Supervision?
Instagram has received backlash due to its adverse effects on teens. In 2021, Former Meta employee Frances Haugen shared an account of the app’s effects on teenage girls’ mental health that alerted Instagram’s policymakers.
The platform introduced parental controls in 2021, but now it is trying to establish more control over user feeds and allow parents more insight into their kids’ presence on Instagram.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the app has harmful consequences for a small portion of teens based on internal research at Facebook. The company then renamed itself Meta in the wake of a new vision focusing on virtual reality and the metaverse.
So Instagram is making new additions to the Supervision tool, to allow parents to control what their kids browse or watch on the app. By filtering content through specific words, parents can ensure that their children are sheltered from inappropriate posts.
Here’s how to set up Supervision for your teen:
Step 1: Open Instagram on Android/iOS and click on profile at the bottom right corner
Step 2: Click on Settings and select Supervision
Step 3: Click on the option “add an account”
Step 4: Hit continue when there’s a prompt asking you to invite your teen
Step 5: You can use a QR code or send an invitation to your teen to allow supervision on their account
Step 6: Once the teen accepts the invitation or scans the QR code from your phone, the process of setting up supervision is complete
What is Quiet mode and how to use it?
Similarly, the platform has plans to allow users to manage their time on the app better besides increasing security and providing additional privacy.
Through Quiet mode, users are privy to the amount of time they spend on the app. It will also aim to show content based on the user’s preference and improve their browsing experience.
When Quiet mode is enabled, users will not get any notifications from the app and the status of their presence will be represented by an icon visible to other contacts. These contacts will receive an alert notifying people trying to contact the user of their unavailability.
Although it was intended to be launched in select regions, it is seemingly available to users in India too because they have reported the accessibility of the pause all notifications feature.
Here’s how to use Quiet Mode:
Step 1: Open Instagram on your device and go to Settings
Step 2: Click on notifications and select pause all to enable quiet mode
Step 3: There will be a prompt saying ‘You won’t receive push notifications, but you’ll be able to see new notifications when you open Instagram”
Step 4: From there, you can select the duration for which you want to avoid seeing notifications
Similarly, teens can create links by following the instructions here.
Instagram FAQ
How often can a parent set up and remove supervision for their child?
The feature can be removed at any time as a parent or a teen. You can also set up supervision again anytime after it is removed.
How long does it take for an invitation link to expire?
Invitations expire 48 hours from the time they were created. If the invitation has expired, refer to Help Centre to set it up again.
