Instagram's Now 'PG-13 Rated' For Teens – But What Does That Actually Mean?

<div><img src="https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/68ee76901600006ae4483bbd.jpg?ops=scalefit_630_noupscale" alt="" data-caption="" data-credit-link-back="" data-credit="Richard Drury via Getty Images" /></div><div class="content-list-component text"><p>Teenagers’ Instagram accounts are now ruled by a ‘PG-13’ moving rating system, in terms of the content they see. </p><p>The setting is now the default for teen accounts, meaning anyone under 18 will be seeing PG-13 content – and they won’t be able to opt out without a parent’s permission. </p><p>What’s more, parents who want even more control over what their kids are seeing can choose an even stricter setting.</p><h2><strong>What does PG-13 actually mean, though?</strong></h2><p>PG-13 is basically the US equivalent of the <a href="https://www.bbfc.co.uk/rating/12" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK’s 12A rating</a>.</p><p>As part of the Online Safety Act, social media companies have a duty to protect children and stop them from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate content.</p><p>Meta, which owns Instagram, already hides or prohibits the recommendation of sexually suggestive content, graphic or disturbing images, and adult content like tobacco or alcohol sales from teens – but the new policy takes things a step further.</p><p>So, posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and additional content that could encourage potentially harmful behaviours, such as sex and drug-related posts, will be hidden or not recommended. </p><p>If teens follow accounts which regularly share age-inappropriate content, or if their name or bio suggests the account is inappropriate, they’ll no longer be able to see or interact with their content, send them DMs, or see their comments under