Evey Morton, a 16-year-old from San Diego, began using Instagram at 10, but the platform’s idealized images have led to anxiety and body image issues. Her experiences inspired her mother to create Anxious Nation, a documentary on adolescent anxiety. Recently, Meta announced new rules for teen accounts, including parental controls and limiting sensitive content, which Morton sees as a positive step but not a comprehensive solution. Critics argue that Meta’s changes are reactive to political pressure rather than genuine concern for teen safety. With ongoing mental health crises linked to social media, experts call for more significant reforms and transparency in data regarding child safety. Despite wanting a social media-free phone, Morton feels tied to Instagram for social connections.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/sep/23/meta-instagram-teen-account-rules