Meta’s apps have caused growing concerns about privacy, data security, misinformation and safety, particularly, the safety of children who use Meta’s products. Meta not only neglects proper parental controls but has deliberately designed features that make their platforms addictive to children and teenagers. Despite knowing that millions of kids under 13 use Instagram and Facebook, Meta unlawfully collects their personal information and deploys techniques to attract and sustain engagement, collecting personal information for advertisers from children without legally required parental consent. These platforms contribute to the youth mental health crisis; reports based on Meta’s own research indicate that the company was aware of the harms Instagram can cause, especially concerning mental health and body image issues among teen girls. Meta’s questionable practices knowingly put youth at risk for being easy targets of online predators and contribute to its reputation as a dangerous platform; serious concerns continue to grow regarding their responsibility toward young users when the company knowingly puts the safety of children at risk.
Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how to update your child’s privacy settings on each Meta Product. It’s encouraged to set these settings to be as private as possible and to do so with your child present to allow for open communication and questions.
Facebook can be accessed in a variety of ways with the most common being through an internet browser, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, and dedicated applications for smartphones or tablets.
- Open Facebook and log into your child’s Facebook account.
- Tap the menu button on the top-right (Android) or bottom-right (iOS) to open the Menu.
- On a computer browser, click your profile picture at the top-right.
- Tap Settings & privacy (or click on the gear icon at the top), then Settings.
- Go back to the Menu, tap Settings & privacy, then Settings.
- Scroll down to Tools and resources. Here you will find three different tools:
- Privacy Checkup: This section includes several step-by-step walk-throughs on how to check on security measures.
- Supervision: Get insights on your child’s activity on your own profile. Both parties must opt-in, and either party can opt-out at any time.
- Default audience settings: Choose who can see what they share.
- Scroll down to Audience and Visibility. Manage who sees your child’s posts and personal information, and control how people find and contact them.
- Go back to Settings & privacy, tap the Meta Accounts Center section at the top, select See more in Accounts Center.
- Scroll down to the Account settings panel and tap Password and security. Review these settings to ensure any basic security measures such as Two-factor authentication.
- Go back to the Meta Accounts Center menu.
- Scroll down to Account settings and tap Ad preferences. This is where you can manage what kind of ads your child may see, including ads based on their activity on Facebook and its products (like Marketplace).
Profile Information: On the Browser or Mobile version of Facebook, you can review the information shared on your child’s profile. Select the profile icon and click Edit Profile and edit the options available.
Download a printable version of the steps above.
Facebook Messenger
- Open Messenger and tap on the
button in the top-left corner, then tap on the Gear icon. - Scroll down to Privacy & safety
- Go through each option to change the settings. Here are some good options to consider:
- Safety and well-being: follow up on reports or hidden contacts.
- Who can reach you: limit what interactions strangers have with your child.
- What people see: options to determine the activity people see on your child’s profile.
- Go back to Settings and click on Supervision.
- As part of Meta’s Family Center, this requires you to have a messenger account, but it allows you to connect with your child’s Facebook and Messenger accounts and see their activity such as their friends, who they chat with, and how much time they spend on the apps.
- Follow the prompted steps.
Download a printable version of the steps above.
Like Facebook, Instagram can also be access by internet browser, smartphone or tablet. Instagram is most commonly accessed by smartphone due to its gallery-type display and interface.
- Mobile App Settings for Teen Instagram Accounts
- Open Instagram and select the profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the button in the top-right corner to go to Settings and activity.
- Select Teen safety settings.
- If you have your own Instagram account, you can add yourself as a Parent or guardian.
- Account privacy: make your child’s account Private.
- Who can interact with you: choose who is able to contact your child.
- What you see: Sensitive content controls.
- Time management: See how much time your child is spending on the app and add a daily limit.
- Mobile App Settings for Regular Accounts: The below settings are for regular accounts (note that your child may not have a teen account if they indicated they were older when creating the Instagram account.)
- Open Instagram and select the profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the button in the top-right corner to go to Settings and activity.
- Tap on Time management. You can view your child’s daily usage as well as set a daily limit.
- Tap on Account privacy. Toggle this option to make your child’s account private.
- Tap on Tags and mentions. These options determine who can tag or mention your child in public posts.
- Tap on Hidden words. Choose to block and hide offensive words, comments, and message requests.
- Tap on Privacy Center. These are general privacy settings on all Meta platforms that cover account details and security and Ads preferences.
Download a printable version of the steps above.
Meta Horizon Worlds & Meta Quest
- On the Meta Quest app, go to Settings.
- Select Privacy Settings. Here you can manage and control who can see your child’s activity, friends list, and visibility in others’ search results.
