Instagram is urging the European Union to introduce consistent, cross-platform regulations requiring age verification and parental approval at the app store level. This push aims to better protect teenagers from potentially harmful content before they even download social media apps like Instagram.
Protecting Teens Before App Use Begins
Regulation at the App Store Level
According to Instagram, age checks and parental controls should be built into app store systems—such as Apple’s App Store and Google Play—rather than relying solely on individual applications. This shift would ensure consistent enforcement across platforms, regardless of the app being downloaded.
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In a recent blog post, Instagram stated:
“The EU needs consistent standards for all apps, to help keep teens safe, empower parents and preserve privacy.”
Strong Parental Support for Store-Level Controls
Survey Reveals Widespread Agreement
Backing its proposal, Instagram highlighted findings from a Morning Consult survey, which found that 75% of parents support legislation requiring app stores to handle age verification and permission protocols for teen accounts.
The data also showed that most parents consider app stores a safer and more centralized place to manage digital access than monitoring each app individually.
Instagram’s Teen-Focused Safety Features
Instagram has already implemented Teen Accounts, which default to private settings. These accounts limit contact from unknown users, filter sensitive content, and restrict message requests—showcasing Instagram’s own efforts to protect younger users on its platform.
These measures reflect the company’s commitment to ensuring teen safety is a design priority, not just a policy add-on.
Collaboration Toward Europe-Wide Digital Protections
Instagram says it is working alongside civil society organizations, industry leaders, and EU lawmakers to advocate for enforceable digital safety standards across the tech sector. The platform believes that industry-wide rules are the only way to ensure that teens across Europe are adequately protected, regardless of the app or service they use.
Summary
With growing concern about online safety for young users, Instagram is calling on the European Union to implement uniform teen safety regulations at the app store level. Backed by parent support and its own in-app protections, the company argues that proactive, platform-wide standards are essential to safeguarding Europe’s teens in the digital age.
This article is originally published on : dig.watch
