Instagram is introducing a new alert system that informs parents when their teenagers repeatedly try to search for terms linked to suicide or self-harm. The update, revealed through the company’s official blog, will roll out in the coming weeks to parents already using the platform’s supervision tools.
Although concerns about teen safety on social media have been growing, Instagram stressed that the new feature is designed to create earlier awareness while still respecting user privacy. The alerts will appear only when a teen searches for troubling phrases several times within a short period. The company explained that the goal is to avoid unnecessary or overly sensitive notifications that could reduce the usefulness of the system.
“The alerts will be sent to parents via email, text, or WhatsApp,” Instagram noted as it outlined how the new tool works. When a parent taps the notification, it will open a full-screen message explaining that their teen has made repeated attempts to search for terms related to suicide or self-harm. Parents will also be able to access expert-led guides on how to handle such conversations.
How Instagram Designed the New Alert System
Instagram stated that it designed the feature after reviewing user behaviour and seeking input from its Suicide and Self-Harm Advisory Group. The company said this collaboration helped it strike a balance between transparency and protecting young users from unnecessary fear or judgment.
The alerts will appear first in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. More regions will be added over the year as Instagram measures how well the system works. The company also plans to expand the feature so that alerts can be triggered when a teen tries to use the platform’s AI tools to discuss suicide or self-harm.
In its announcement, Instagram said it will continue refining the system based on global feedback and will pay close attention to how well the balance holds between parental awareness and teen privacy.
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