Instagram has made new under-16s’ accounts private by default so only approved followers can see posts and “like” or comment. The BBC reports: Tests showed only one in five opted for a public account when the private setting was the default, it said. And existing account holders would be sent a notification “highlighting the benefits” of switching to private. But Instagram also said it was pushing ahead with new apps for under-13s, despite a backlash from some groups. “The reality is that they are already online and, with no foolproof way to stop people from misrepresenting their age, we want to build experiences designed specifically for them, managed by parents and guardians,” parent company Facebook said. Although it was also developing artificial-intelligence systems to find and remove under-age accounts.
“Historically, we asked young people to choose between a public account or a private account when they signed up for Instagram but our recent research showed that they appreciate a more private experience,” the company said. Another of its changes — preventing accounts showing “potentially suspicious behavior” such as recently having been blocked from messaging or following children’s accounts — would make them “difficult to find for certain adults,” Instagram said. Meanwhile, “a more precautionary approach” will see advertisers able to target children based on only age, gender, and location, rather than interests and web-browsing habits. And while defending targeted ads in general and the optout features it has for some types, Instagram said: “We have heard from youth advocates that young people may not be well equipped to make these decisions.”
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