Meta announced on Friday new parental supervision tools designed to help parents monitor and manage how their teenage children interact with AI characters across its platforms. The update is part of the company’s broader effort to strengthen online safety measures as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into social media use among younger audiences.
The company said the new tools will allow parents to turn off their teens’ access to one-on-one chats with AI characters or block specific ones. Parents will also gain insights into conversation topics between teens and Meta’s AI assistant to encourage open dialogue about technology use. “We’re committed to providing parents with helpful tools and resources that make things simpler for them,” Meta stated.
Meta said its AI features already include “age-appropriate protections,” including responses guided by PG-13 movie ratings. The company added that these safeguards will ensure AI characters avoid inappropriate discussions, such as self-harm or disordered eating, and instead direct teens to expert resources when necessary.
The company also reiterated that teens’ AI interactions are limited to characters focusing on education, sports, and hobbies. Parents can view whether their children are engaging with AI characters and set strict time limits on app use, including AI interactions, as short as 15 minutes per day.
Meta plans to roll out the new parental supervision features early next year, beginning with Instagram in English-speaking markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The company said it will continue refining protections in line with evolving technology and parental feedback.
Source: Meta