In late February, the social network Instagram announced a new security feature: alerts sent to parents when their teenager repeatedly searches for content related to suicide or self-harm.
As parents, we know that the digital world can sometimes be a source of worry. In late February, Instagram took a new step to help you monitor your children's mental health. The social network announced the deployment of specific alerts sent directly to your phone if your teenager repeatedly performs searches related to suicide or self-harm. The objective is clear: to give you an early warning signal to allow you to intervene before a situation worsens.
What changes for you, specifically
Until now, Instagram would only block dangerous searches and display help numbers to the user. Now, you are in the loop. If your child makes multiple searches on sensitive topics (keywords related to distress, self-harm, etc.) within a short period, you will receive:
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A direct notification in your app.
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An alert message (Email, SMS, or WhatsApp) to ensure you don't miss the information.
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Guides and expert advice to help you address this sensitive topic with your teenager without causing conflict.
Note: Meta plans to soon extend these alerts to conversations your child might have with the platform's integrated artificial intelligence.
The essential condition: activating supervision
Be aware, this security is not automatic. To receive these alerts, you must have Parental Supervision set up. Without this link between your two accounts, Instagram will not be able to notify you. This process is voluntary: you send an invitation, and your teenager must accept it. This is an excellent opportunity to explain to your child that this tool is not there to spy on them, but to ensure their safety.
Instructions: how to configure your protection
Here's how to activate this safety net on your respective accounts:
1. From your parent account:
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Open your Instagram app.
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Go to your Profile, then open the Menu (☰).
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Go to Settings and privacy.
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Select Supervision or Family Center.
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Follow the steps to send an invitation to your teenager.
2. On your teenager's phone:
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They must open their invitation notification.
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They must click Accept to establish the link.
3. Your new tools: once supervision is active, you will not only receive these new emergency alerts but also be able to view screen time, set time limits, and see who your child follows (or who follows them).
While these alerts are a valuable aid, an additional "safety net" in your daily life as a parent, keep in mind that technology does not replace dialogue. These notifications are primarily a starting point for engaging in sincere discussion with your child about their well-being and emotions.
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