Instagram will notify parents if their child searches for self-harm content

Instagram has said that it will begin notifying parents if their teenage child “repeatedly” searches for content related to self-harm or suicide.

The announcement follows Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifying in court in response to claims that Instagram content had led to self-harm by children …

Zuckerberg first faced questioning in the US Senate on this issue at the beginning of 2024.

Appearing in court earlier this month, Zuckerberg said he wished the company had acted sooner in identifying underage users.

The company has today announced that it will begin notifying parents of worrying searches by their teens.

In the coming weeks, Instagram will start notifying parents using supervision if their teen repeatedly tries to search for terms related to suicide or self-harm within a short period of time […]

Our policy is to block these searches, instead directing them to resources and helplines that can offer support. These alerts are designed to make sure parents are aware if their teen is repeatedly trying to search for this content, and to give them the resources they need to support their teen.

The social media company says it will use whatever contact information it has available in order to reach parents. Alerts may be sent via text message, email, or WhatsApp, as well as in-app notification.

The feature will first roll out next week in the US, UK, Australia and Canada, with other countries to follow later in the year.

Image: 9to5Mac/Meta/Siora Photography