Young Instagram users could still be exposed to “serious risks” even if they use new Teen Accounts brought in to provide more protection and control, research by campaigners suggests.
Researchers behind a new report have said they were able to set up accounts using fake birthdays and they were then shown sexualised content, hateful comments, and recommended adult accounts to follow.
Meta, which owns Instagram, says the report is “filled with inaccuracies and demonstrates a misunderstanding” of the Teen Accounts, and that parents “find these new protections helpful”.
The research, from online child safety charity 5Rights Foundation, is released as Ofcom, the UK regulator, is about to publish its children’s safety codes.
