Meta Rolls Out Private Accounts and 'Sleep Mode' for Teens. Are the Changes Enough to Tackle the Mental Health Impacts of the Platform on Youth?

Meta is introducing new privacy settings on Instagram, making teen accounts private by default to enhance safety. The changes, effective in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, will impact users under 18, with rollouts planned for the EU later this year. Teens with existing accounts will be moved to restricted settings over the next 60 days. The new settings restrict direct messaging, limit sensitive content, and introduce "sleep mode." Critics argue these updates are insufficient and serve to self-regulate without meaningful oversight, as Meta faces lawsuits over the mental health impact of its platforms on youth.