Instagram Makes All Teen Accounts ‘PG-13’

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Instagram is getting a PG-13 makeover for its teen users, blocking 18+ creators, strong language, and risky stunts.

Starting this week, the platform is rolling out new content restrictions that limit what users under 18 can see, share, or even search, all modeled after movie-style age ratings.

Under the new system, Instagram will continue hiding nudity, sexual or suggestive content, but now it’s also filtering out strong swearing, risky stunts, and mature themes from recommendations and search results. As Meta puts it, teens might “occasionally see something like that,” but the goal is to make those moments “as rare as possible.”

From “Teen Accounts” To “PG-13 Mode”

Last year, Instagram automatically placed all under-18 users into teen accounts, which are private by default, silence notifications overnight, and block DMs from strangers. Now, the experience is getting stricter.

Instagram will age-gate entire accounts that repeatedly post adult content or direct users toward 18+ websites such as OnlyFans or online liquor stores. Teens already following those accounts will lose access to their content, DMs, and even their comments on other posts. Creators flagged as 18+ will be notified and can appeal by removing content that breaks the guidelines.

Instagram is also expanding blocked search terms, including “alcohol” and “gore,” to keep mature or violent content out of reach.

More Parental Controls, Fewer Grey Areas

Parents can now choose between three levels of content visibility:

Limited Content: the most restrictive option, removing borderline PG-13 posts and disabling comments or certain AI conversations.
Default Teen Mode: standard PG-13 protections applied to all under-18 accounts.
More Content: a slightly broader range of content for older teens, still within the PG-13 limits.

Meta says the goal is transparency, helping parents better understand what their teens can and can’t see while keeping the experience aligned with mainstream media standards.

The new system is launching first in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with a global rollout by the end of 2025. Meta also confirmed similar “age-appropriate content protections” are coming soon to Facebook.