Meta updates safety features for teens. More than 600,000 accounts linked to predatory behavior
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Meta updates safety features for teens. More than 600,000 accounts linked to predatory behavior

Why This Matters

Meta said it removed more than 600,000 accounts that were linked to predatory behavior on Instagram and Facebook.

July 23, 2025
12:57 PM
4 min read
AI Enhanced

The analysis demonstrates Meta introduced new safety features aimed at teen users, including enhanced direct messaging tections.

Meta said it removed more than 600,000 accounts that were linked to predatory behavior on Instagram and Facebook.

135,000 of those accounts were found to be leaving sexualized s or requesting sexual images from adult-managed accounts featuring children.

In this articleMETA your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNTFacebook and Instagram icons are seen displayed on an iPhone.

Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesMeta on Wednesday introduced new safety features for teen users, including enhanced direct messaging tections to prevent "exploitative content (this bears monitoring).

"Teens will now see more information who they're chatting with, when the Instagram account was created and other safety tips, to spot potential scammers.

Teens will also be able to block and report accounts in a single action.

"In June alone, they blocked accounts 1 million times and reported another 1 million after seeing a Safety Notice," the company said in a release (an important development).

This policy is part of a broader push by Meta to tect teens and children on its platforms, ing mounting scrutiny from policymakers who accused the company of failing to shield young users from sexual exploitation.

In contrast, Meta said it removed nearly 135,000 Instagram accounts earlier this year that were sexualizing children on the platform.

On the other hand, The removed accounts were found to be leaving sexualized s or requesting sexual images from adult-managed accounts featuring children.

Additionally, The takedown also included 500,000 Instagram and Facebook accounts that were linked to the original files (an important development).

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Users have to be at least 13 to use Instagram, but adults can run accounts representing children who are younger as long as the account bio is that the adult manages the account, given the current landscape.

The platform was recently accused by several state attorneys general of implementing addictive features across its family of apps that have detrimental effects on children's mental health (which is quite significant).

Meta announced last week it removed 10 million files for impersonating large content ducers through the first half of 2025 as part of an effort by the company to combat "spammy content.

"Congress has renewed efforts to regulate social media platforms to focus on child safety, given the current landscape.

Additionally, The Kids Online Safety Act was reintroduced to Congress in May after stalling in 2024, amid market uncertainty.

The measure would require social media platforms to have a "duty of care" to prevent their ducts from harming children.

Snapchat was sued by New Mexico in September, alleging the app was creating an environment where "predators can easily target children through sextortion schemes, considering recent developments.

At the same time, "The company has sought to dismiss the suit, calling the allegations "patently false" and saying the state misrepresented its undercover investigation.

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Key Insights

  • This development warrants monitoring for potential sector-wide implications
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  • Market participants should assess the broader industry context

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