Episode Name:
Meta's effective steps for safer online experiences for young users
Host:
Amrita Tiwari
Summary- The impact of social media influencers/personalities on young users is more than you know! Listen to the latest episode of Unwiring Tech to find out how the content on YouTube is shaping the personalities of the youth.
Transcript- Host: Welcome to the Unwiring Tech podcast, your source for the latest news and insights from the world of technology. I’m your host, Amrita and today we’re diving into an important announcement from Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. They have recently unveiled new parental controls for Instagram and Messenger, aiming to provide parents with increased oversight and management of their child’s online activities. Let’s explore the detail.
Host: Meta’s latest initiative is a response to growing concerns about the potential negative effects of social media on young users. The company acknowledges the need for safer online experiences for children and is taking steps to address these concerns. One of the key updates is the introduction of enhanced parental controls for Messenger and Instagram.
Host: For Messenger, parents and guardians can now access their child’s contact list, privacy settings, and safety configurations through the Meta Family Center. This centralized hub empowers parents to monitor and manage their child’s interactions on Messenger more effectively. They will also receive notifications if their child reports someone on the app, as long as the teenager has enabled this option. Additionally, parents can now determine who is allowed to message their child and who is not, giving them greater control over their child’s communication.
Host: Turning our attention to Instagram, parents will now be able to see how many mutual friends their child shares with the people they follow and who follow them. This new feature enables parents to monitor their child’s connections and interactions with unknown individuals. Furthermore, if a teenager blocks someone on Instagram, they will receive a prompt suggesting parental supervision for their account. This prompt serves as a gentle reminder for young users to involve their parents when making decisions about their online interactions.
Host: Meta is also experimenting with additional safety measures on Instagram. One such measure is requiring permission to message someone who does not follow the user. By implementing this feature, Meta aims to reduce the chances of unsolicited messages from unknown individuals. Furthermore, a notification will be introduced on Instagram, advising teenagers to close the app when browsing through Reels at night. This step is taken to promote healthy digital habits and encourage responsible usage of the platform.
Host: These parental controls and safety features are part of Meta’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer online environment for young users. They build upon previous efforts such as Quiet Mode, content notifications, and safeguards against adults accessing minors’ direct messages. Meta is actively working to address concerns and provide parents with the necessary tools to protect their children in the digital space.
Host: This announcement comes at a crucial time for Meta, as their platform, Instagram, has faced scrutiny for hosting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) networks. The company’s efforts to introduce stricter parental controls and enhance safety measures demonstrate their commitment to tackling these issues head-on and making necessary improvements.
Host: The rising tide of online risks and unethical behavior on major platforms has made it mandatory for tech giants to prioritize the safety and well-being of young users. Meta’s latest parental controls and safety features are significant steps towards achieving this goal.
Host: As we wrap up this episode of Unwiring Tech, we commend Meta for their efforts in addressing concerns about the impact of social media on young users. The introduction of new parental controls for Instagram and Messenger reflects their commitment to providing parents with increased oversight and management of their child’s online activities. We hope these measures will contribute to a safer and more responsible digital experience for children.
Host: That’s all for today’s episode. Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe to Unwiring Tech for more updates on the latest tech news. Until next time, stay safe and keep exploring the world of technology.
Additional Readings:-
2.https://www.npr.org/2022/06/14/1104893416/parental-controls-instagram-quest